Legislation Inches Virginia Closer To A cannabis Retail Market
It has been a bipartisan effort
Virginia could see a statewide cannabis retail market as soon as November under pending legislation. Two bills with a framework for the creation of a retail marijuana market in the state have passed their respective chambers and are now being considered in the opposite chamber.
A bipartisan joint commission has been working since last January to plan and oversee the commonwealth’s transition to a fully legal retail marijuana market. Lawmakers created the commission after legislation for a retail market was repeatedly vetoed by former Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin.
Now, things have changed — Gov. Abigail Spanberger, who took office in January, shared her support for a cannabis retail market in the state throughout her campaign.
House Bill 642, introduced by Del. Paul Krizek, D-Fairfax, and Senate Bill 542, introduced by Sen. Lashrecse Aird, D-Petersburg, outline the framework for the creation of a retail marijuana market.
Krizek said his bill aims to strengthen communities through new jobs in agriculture and justice for those affected by the racial disparities in the prohibition of cannabis while creating a “fair, safe and inclusive cannabis market.”
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