Gov. Abigail Spanberger made an announcement about retail marijuana market legislation in Virginia on Tuesday.
The announcement comes after weeks of negotiations between Democratic lawmakers and the governor over how to launch legal marijuana sales. The governor was joined by Sen. Lashrecse Aird and Del. Paul Krizek during the press conference on Tuesday.
The current compromise, as discussed during the press conference on Tuesday, aims to open the retail marijuana market in Virginia on July 1, 2027. This deal includes setting a 6% starting tax, phasing in 350 licenses and the allocation of funding to help small and equity-owned businesses compete in the legal market.
Watch previous coverage: Governor Spanberger vetoes legal retail marijuana market in Virginia
House Bill 642, by Del. Paul Krizek, and Senate Bill 542, from Sen. Lashrecse Aird, would have created a retail marijuana market, legalizing recreational sales to adults. This session, lawmakers passed the bill this year, but Spanberger sent it back to the General Assembly with amendments.
Among other items, Spanberger proposed pushing the start date back to July 2027, but after the General Assembly rejected her changes, Spanberger vetoed the bill.
Watch previous coverage: Virginia lawmakers won't take up Spanberger's proposed changes to marijuana law
Following that veto, the newly formed Retail Cannabis Commission met for the first time earlier this month as lawmakers searched for middle ground. Aird said legislators are not trying to push a plan through hastily, but instead craft legislation that addresses shared concerns over health, safety and oversight.
“It would be really irresponsible if we didn’t take this one final opportunity to try and get the legislation moved forward,” Aird said.
A spokesperson for Spanberger said the governor supports a retail marijuana marketplace as long as it is well-regulated, transparent and prioritizes public health and safety.
Virginia first legalized marijuana possession for adults aged 21 and older in 2021, but bills to legalize non-medical sales have been vetoed by former Gov. Glenn Youngkin.
Lead budget negotiators have said they are close to a deal on the overall state spending plan, which must be finalized by the June 30 deadline. Monday’s press conference is expected to outline how the cannabis provisions will be incorporated into that agreement.
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