Lawmakers in Virginia’s upper and lower legislative chambers have advanced separate proposals to commercialize cannabis adult-use cannabis sales by next year, Marijuana Moment reports.
Cannabis became legal in Virginia in 2021 but lawmakers stopped short of licensing and regulating the industry, and the issue took a further backseat when Republicans took control of the House of Delegates and Governorship later that year. But Democrats recaptured the House in 2023 and lawmakers in both legislative bodies are now looking to revisit regulating the cannabis industry.
The House Bill
Lawmakers in the Virginia House of Delegates on Monday voted 52-48 — and nearly along party lines — to send a cannabis sales proposal sponsored by Del. Paul Krizek (D) to the Senate for consideration. Del. Chris Obenshain was the sole Republican House lawmaker who crossed the aisle to vote in favor of the cannabis reforms bill, the report said.
If approved, HB 698 would license cannabis cultivators, manufacturers, and retailers, and set a 9% tax rate for the industry. Controversially, the House bill would ban outdoor commercial cannabis grows. Additionally, the proposal would allow existing the state’s medical cannabis operators, several hemp companies, and up to 60 equity-focused microbusinesses to launch adult-use