Virginia lawmakers plan to take up a host of cannabis-related legislation this year in a narrowly divided General Assembly, following the body’s historic vote to legalize the drug for adult-use last year — when both the House of Delegates and the Senate were under Democratic control.
Last summer, then-Gov. Ralph Northam (D) signed into law a measure making it legal for people 21 or older to possess up to an ounce of cannabis and cultivate up to four cannabis plants in their household. But the complex legislation left it illegal to buy or sell cannabis, as retail sales were not slated to begin until 2024, giving the state time to build a regulated commercial market. Proposed legislation would allow some businesses to begin legally selling cannabis as soon as July 1.
The law includes a provision that requires the General Assembly to reenact certain aspects of the legislation during this year’s session, opening the door to significant changes to the law. Lawmakers in both the House, which Republicans now control after winning the majority in last fall’s elections, and the Senate, which is still under the control of Democrats, will consider cannabis-related bills that address such issues as a timeline and who will get licensing preference.
Though Republicans overwhelmingly opposed legalization last year, they have indicated that they plan to follow through with reenactment. However, the parameters of what the industry will look like and when it will open for business remain uncertain. Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) has also indicated that he doesn’t intend to overturn legalization, but he has acknowledged that the law still needs work to set up the commercial market.
To read the complete article, go to www.washingtonpost.com
Announcements
Job Offers
Top 5 -yesterday
- “In addition to traceability, growers needed a way to improve their operations”
- US (AZ): "With our new facility, we are aiming to change the game"
- How to reduce indoor farm operating costs
- Senator files bill to get country ready for federal cannabis legalization
- Michigan cannabis market speeds ahead
Top 5 -last week
Top 5 -last month
US (VA): With cannabis now legal, lawmakers debate how to set up the industry
Publication date:
Receive the daily newsletter in your email for free | Click here
Other news in this sector:
- 2022-12-02 D.C. lawmakers approve medical cannabis bill with license cap elimination
- 2022-12-02 "Transfer pricing is an often-overlooked necessity in cannabis"
- 2022-12-02 Virginia hemp panel suggests tougher rules on unregulated THC products
- 2022-12-02 Senator files bill to get country ready for federal cannabis legalization
- 2022-12-01 Colombian and Mexican presidents announce international effort to reshape drug policy
- 2022-12-01 Texas activists fight back after local lawmakers undermine voter-approved cannabis decriminalization measures
- 2022-11-30 US (CA): County officials consider cuts to cannabis program
- 2022-11-29 US senator files bill to make cannabis businesses eligible for SBA loans
- 2022-11-28 Is Malta's medical cannabis industry failing its patients?
- 2022-11-28 Iowa regulators recommend cannabis task force be formed to explore federal exemption
- 2022-11-28 Irish lawmaker files bill to legalize cannabis possession for adults
- 2022-11-25 "This is the most significant step for the UK medical cannabis industry since legalization"
- 2022-11-22 Oregon governor issues cannabis pardons for 45,000 people
- 2022-11-22 US (RI): Cannabis products destroyed after testing positive for pesticides
- 2022-11-21 Biden to sign bipartisan cannabis research bill passed by congress this week, White House says
- 2022-11-18 US (AR): In lawsuit involving Fort Smith cultivator, plaintiff says state in contempt of judge’s ruling
- 2022-11-17 German opposition official lobbies EU to block cannabis plan
- 2022-11-16 US (KY): Governor signs executive orders allowing MMJ possession from other states
- 2022-11-15 US (NY): Cannabis industry blossoming in Ellenville
- 2022-11-15 Costa Rica authorizes first hemp project
