{"id":23795,"date":"2022-09-05T08:00:14","date_gmt":"2022-09-05T12:00:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/blog\/?p=23795"},"modified":"2023-09-18T10:24:21","modified_gmt":"2023-09-18T14:24:21","slug":"virginias-adult-use-cannabis-program-takes-a-hit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/blog\/virginias-adult-use-cannabis-program-takes-a-hit\/","title":{"rendered":"Virginia’s Adult-Use Cannabis Program Takes a Hit"},"content":{"rendered":"

On April 7, 2021, Virginians rejoiced as Gov. Northam (D) signed the Cannabis Control Act<\/a> (CCA) into law. This law positioned Virginia to be the South’s first adult-use (i.e., recreational) state, with a Jan. 1, 2024 launch date for its first-ever retail sales. In preparation, the CCA established a framework for cannabis business licensing, cultivation, manufacturing, distribution, testing, and adult-use retail sales that would be regulated by a newly formed Cannabis Control Authority.<\/p>\n

But there was a catch.<\/p>\n

What Happened to the CCA During Virginia’s Budget Session?<\/h2>\n

As explained by the law firm Troutman Pepper<\/a>:<\/p>\n

“Perhaps as a compromise to encourage its passage, the bill included a provision found in Enactment 7 that stated that certain portions of the CCA \u201cshall not become effective unless reenacted by the 2022 Session of the General Assembly.\u201d The General Assembly, however, wrapped up its 2022 session without reenacting any portion of the CCA . . . . As a result, many of the provisions that created the structure for Virginia\u2019s adult-use cannabis program, and the framework for regulations to be issued by the [Cannabis Control] Authority, are no longer effective. Agencies tasked with moving the program forward are currently putting their efforts on hold until after 2023.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

These adult-use provisions were slashed through the silence of Virginia\u2019s 2022-2024 budget bill<\/a>. Lawmakers would have had to clearly state their reenactment within the budget bill, HB 30, in order for the provisions to remain effective.<\/p>\n

Some stakeholders argue that the changes made through HB 30 will only result in strengthening the stranglehold of Virginia’s unregulated cannabis market, which puts minors and consumer safety at risk. Many of these same stakeholders attribute the step backward to newly instated Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R).<\/p>\n

On July 2, 2021 (the day after the CCA went into effect), Gov. Youngkin’s campaign team made a statement via Twitter<\/a> that, should he win, “Glenn Youngkin will not seek to repeal [the CCA]; his focus will be on building a rip-roaring economy with more jobs and better wages, restoring excellence in education, and reestablishing Virginia\u2019s commitment to public safety.”<\/p>\n

Gov. Youngkin’s track record since taking seat as governor contradicts this assertion. For example, during this year’s April vet session, the governor sought to replace the CCA’s possession limit by recriminalizing the possession of up to 2 ounces of cannabis. This proposed change was blocked by Virginia’s House of Delegates.<\/p>\n

According to JM Pedini, NORML\u2019s development director and the executive director of Virginia NORML, \u201cGovernor Youngkin\u2019s actions are in direct conflict with his campaign promise<\/a> to not roll back legalization and they are out of touch with the opinions of the majority of Virginians<\/a>. . . . This administration has made no effort to establish a legal adult-use cannabis market or to ensure that all cannabis products sold in the Commonwealth are accurately labeled and regulated for consumer safety.\u201d<\/p>\n

What Activities Are Still Permitted Under Current Virginia Cannabis Law?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

There’s no doubt about it: Virginia\u2019s adult-use cannabis program<\/a> took a major hit\u2014but not all is lost. Virginia\u2019s remaining cannabis laws and regulations:<\/p>\n