Virginia eyes legal weed sales with new draft plan. Again.
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State lawmakers got a preview of what a legal retail marijuana marketplace in Virginia could look like now that Democrats are set to be back in control of state government.
Why it matters: Weed sales could start as soon as this fall under the revised plan. For real, for real this time.
Driving the news: The Joint (no pun intended) Commission on the Future of Cannabis Sales presented its updated plan to lawmakers last week ahead of next year's session.
- The proposed framework builds on the retail marketplace bills that lawmakers previously passed with some "modifications," per commission docs.
- Gov. Youngkin vetoed those bills, but Gov.-elect Spanberger has indicated she's far more receptive to seeing that residents can legally buy the weed they've been allowed to possess since 2021.
Between the lines: The proposal is still a work in progress, commission members told the Virginia Mercury.
- And all of it would need to be approved by lawmakers next year.
Zoom in: The draft emphasizes public safety, small businesses, and equity, and attempts to tamp down the black market, the Virginia Mercury reports. Among the highlights:
- Establishes Nov. 1, 2026 as the start date for recreational marijuana sales, with dispensary applications beginning in July.
- Prioritizes micro-businesses (ones that meet four of seven to-be-established criteria) and requires they get the first 100 licenses, giving them a head start on sales.
- Caps the number of industrial hemp growers at five to give smaller growers an opportunity to compete.
- Removes the option for localities to hold referenda to ban retail marijuana stores.
- But raises the amount localities can tax it to 3.5% (up from 2.5%).
- Requires a public registry of retail sellers be available online, including ownership information.
What we're watching: The General Assembly convenes in January and maybe, just maybe, 2026 will be the year for legal retail weed sales in Virginia.