Virginia Makes Steps To Launch Cannabis Market

By: Olivia Armstead

Virginia lawmakers are finally taking action to launch a legal adult-use cannabis market after a cycle of repeated vetoes from former governor Glenn Youngkin. 

According to WTOP News, governor-elect Abigail Spanberger agreed to sign legislation establishing a regulated retail system. This system would undo the dead end that emphasized the prominence of marijuana sales in the state since the legalization of possession and home cultivation of it in 2021. 

Per the Virginia Mercury, the ‘Joint Commission on the Future of Cannabis Sales’ is set to meet on Dec. 2 to confirm their finalized proposal for a structured retail market that they hope will get passed by the General Assembly next year. It is possible that sales could begin as early as fall of 2026 if the bill is signed by Spanberger in the beginning of next year. 

Spanberger's election may have been the key to this new retail system getting a chance to be legalized and end a fight that has been ongoing for years.  

“[The outcome was] a good day for public safety and communities disproportionately affected by cannabis prohibition,” said Del. Paul Krizek, the commission’s chair and one of the leaders spearheading the legislation, per the Virginia Mercury and WTOP News. “It was a bad day for organized crime in the illicit cannabis market.” 

The new breakthrough raises curiosity amongst people in regards to why the state has legalized possession but has yet to create a retail market. 

“One of the reasons can be concerns involving health and safety. So, increasing mental health, increasing crime rates, or any other ways that don’t regulate the black market,” said Jhalia Sampson-Mills, a political science major at Hampton University. “Another reason can be taxes. When the market is legalized, it can exceed the tax revenue gain, which means that the government can only have a small part of the taxes.”