We previously highlighted the Virginia Legislature’s move to legalize adult-use cannabis. This week the Virginia Legislature passed a bill legalizing adult-use cannabis. In doing so, Virginia greatly accelerated the timeline for legalization.
Prior drafts had set a 2024 date for legalizing the possession of recreational cannabis. The bill passed this week when Lieutenant Governor, Justin Fairfax, broke a 20-20 tie in the Virginia Senate legalizes adult possession of an ounce or less of cannabis beginning on July 1, 2021.
While the new law legalizes recreational possession and allows Virginia residents to grow up to four cannabis plants beginning July 1st, Virginia still isn’t likely to begin licensing recreational cannabis retailers until 2024. Likewise, the new bill doesn’t allow existing medical cannabis dispensaries to begin selling to adults for recreational use.