The Virginia Senate once more has permitted a invoice to ascertain an adult-use marijuana program.
Senate Invoice 970, launched by Democrat Aaron Rouse, handed alongside occasion traces by a 21-19 vote, in accordance with Marijuana Second.
Underneath the proposal, Virginia’s Hashish Management Authority (CCA) would start accepting license functions from present medical marijuana licensees on Sept. 1.
Retail gross sales might start as quickly as Could 1, 2026.
SB 970 additionally would require the CCA to ascertain a seed-to-sale monitoring program by Dec. 31, 2025.
In the meantime, Virginia’s Home of Representatives on Monday superior a companion invoice, Home Invoice 2485, that might permit adults 21 and older to purchase as much as 2.5 ounces of hashish from licensed retailers, Marijuana Second reported.
Each payments are anticipated to advance to the desk of Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who vetoed related laws final yr, citing “well being and security” considerations.
Rouse addressed these considerations in his new proposal, which creates a big first-mover benefit for present medical marijuana operators in Virginia.
The invoice stipulates that solely MMJ retailers – which embrace multistate operators reminiscent of Ayr Wellness, The Cannabist Co., Inexperienced Thumb Industries, Jushi Holdings and Verano Holdings Corp. – are allowed to promote adult-use merchandise till Sept. 1, 2030 – an almost four-year runway after the leisure market opens.
Former Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam signed laws in April 2021 legalizing marijuana use and possession for adults 21 and older, however Youngkin and Home Republicans have thwarted efforts to ascertain a regulated adult-use retail program.
