Retail Sale Of Marijuana Takes Step Forward In VA Senate

RICHMOND, VA — A bill that would establish a retail marketplace for recreational marijuana in the state took a step forward this week when a Virginia Senate subcommittee approved legislation that would allow sales to begin in hundreds of stores as early as 2025.

While the state of Virginia made it legal in 2021 to possess under an ounce of marijuana in he state, the bill — SB 448 — would establish a framework for retail sales. If the legislation attains full passage, the state could start issuing licenses to retailers on July 1 with sales starting Jan. 1, 2025.

State Sen. Aaron Rouse, a Democrat from Virginia Beach, sponsored the bill.

"It's about getting Virginia's actual opportunity to have a small business to partake in this environment while understanding that there's certainly equity component that's involved in this," Rouse said, according to WTVR.

The Rehabilitation and Social Services Subcommittee chose Rouse's bill after considering a similar bill introduced by State Sen. Adam Ebbin (D - Alexandria). Ebbin's bill would have allowed sales to start in July, WTVR reported. In exchange, they would pay a fee to help develop small and minority businesses.

Under the proposed bill, up to 400 stores would be allowed to sell recreational marijuana. A 12 percent tax would be implemented on it, with 6 percent going to the state and 6 percent going to municipalities.

Cities could also place a referendum on local ballots to opt out of allowing retail sales, according to the bill.

The marketplace would be regulated by the Cannabis Control Authority.

“The goal here is to generate as much revenue as possible, without making the taxes so oppressive that the black market continues to thrive,” Greg Habeeb with the Virginia Cannabis Association said, according to a WRIC report.

The bill now moves to the Senate Courts of Justice for review and consideration.