Legislative committees in Virginia’s Senate and House of Delegates both advanced a proposal on Tuesday that would legalize retail sales of marijuana in the commonwealth, where where personal use and possession are already legal.
Members of the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee (SFAC) voted 10–5 in favor of advancing the measure, which now proceeds to the Senate floor. On the House side, members of the full General Laws Committee also signed off on that chamber’s version of the bill, voting 14–8 to send it to the House Appropriations Committee.
If enacted, the legislation would allow adults 21 and older to purchase up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana from regulated, state-licensed retailers. Sales would begin no earlier than May 1, 2026, though regulators at the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority could begin issuing business licenses in September of this year.
Purchases of adult-use marijuana would be taxed at up to 11.625 percent. Municipal governments could ban marijuana establishments locally, but only with the support of voters.
It’s widely expected that even if the reform, from Del. Paul Krizek (D) and Sen. Aaron Rouse (D), passes out of the legislature, however, Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) will once again veto it.
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