Virginia Cannabis Retail Sales Scheduled To Begin in 2024

RICHMOND – With 68% of Virginia’s registered voters support legalizing cannabis, the Virginian General Assembly voted Friday to allow cannabis possession, manufacture and sale.  Under the bill passed by their Senate on Friday, simple possession would be legal starting in July, but retail sales would not start until 2024.

Next steps see lawmakers reconciling their proposed bills before a final version reaches Gov. Ralph Northam. The Democrat governor has signaled he will sign their legislation into law. Beginning in 2024, cannabis is permitted in dispensaries and tax revenue going to pre-K and public health programs, addiction treatment and a fund to remedy the effects of the drug’s criminalization.

“There are more deaths from legal pharmaceuticals … sold at your local CVS and Walgreens that cause way more deaths than anything that marijuana — cannabis — will do,” said Del. Don Scott, D-Portsmouth, stressing that the prosecution of marijuana use disproportionately harms Black and brown Virginians.

“It was a good first step, but more is needed,” Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, said about last year’s change before Friday’s votes to legalize. “The (Senate) bill is the next step.”