Richmond, Va. (Newsradiowrva.com) - Legislation to establish a retail market for marijuana in Virginia was advanced by the Virginia Senate subcommittee on Thursday.
The panel considered two measures and ultimately advanced one that would authorize sales in up to 400 stores beginning in January 2025.
The other bill had a more staggered timeline and would have allowed the state’s four medical marijuana processors to begin selling recreational marijuana in July. In exchange, they would pay a fee and help incubate small and minority businesses.
Though marijuana has been legal to possess in Virginia since 2021, officials have yet to create a framework for a safe, regulated marketplace.
"We already have a very large cannabis market," State Sen. Adam Ebbin (D - Alexandria) said. "Unfortunately, it's controlled by cartels and organized crime."
“We know that adult-possession cannabis has been legal in Virginia for two and a half years now, and it’s past time that adults 21 years and older can buy a safe, tested cannabis product regulated and taxed by the Commonwealth,” said Ebbin.
