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With Democrats In Control Of Virginia’s Legislature, Advocates See A Path To Legalizing Marijuana Sales

https://www.marijuanamoment.net/with-democrats-in-control-of-virginias-legislature-advocates-see-a-path-to-legalizing-marijuana-sales/

As the dust settles from Tuesday’s elections, Democrats in Virginia emerged with control of both chambers of the state legislature, an outcome that many see as crucial to further marijuana reform, including legalizing and regulating sales. For advocates, the question now becomes what cannabis legislation Democrats will rally around and ultimately send to the desk of Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin—as well as whether Youngkin try to amend or block those changes.

Led by Democrats, Virginia lawmakers in 2021 legalized the use, possession and limited personal cultivation of marijuana by adults. But Republicans later blocked the required reenactment of a regulatory framework for retail sales to begin in 2024. Since then, illegal, unlicensed storefronts have proliferated across the state amid Democratic control of the Senate, which passed a legal sales regulation bill this year, and a GOP majority in the House of Delegates, which killed that legislation. In 2024, however, Democrats will be in charge of both chambers.
At least one lawmaker, Sen. Adam Ebbin (D), who championed the 2021 law, is expected to introduce a bill in the coming session that would legalize commercial cannabis sales. But amid an influx of new lawmakers, uncertainty around Youngkin’s stance and ongoing calls from Black and progressive advocates to build justice and social equity reforms into the legislation, it’s shaping up to be a contentious process.

Some want to see Democrats take a more expedient approach to legal sales. JM Pedini, executive director of Virginia NORML, said the goal should be for the Democratic majority to pass a straightforward bill that Youngkin might let become law without his signature. If Youngkin vetoes the bill, Pedini told Marijuana Moment, Democrats won’t have the power to reverse it. If they want legalization under a Youngkin administration, they’ll have to compromise.