Virginia voters have the chance to decide on whether their next governor will be someone who supports or opposes legalizing recreational marijuana sales in the commonwealth—with the two major party nominees holding diametrically opposed views on the future of cannabis policy.
On Friday, early in-person voting will begin in an election which could determine whether or not adult marijuana consumers can purchase the drug from stores that are regulated and legal.
The current governor has vetoed both bills. Glenn Youngkin (R) vetoed both proposals.
Lt. Governor. Winsome Earle Sears (R) has been adamantly against allowing Virginia create a market for adult-use marijuana. She even went so far to suggest that cannabis is a gateway substance and that legalization “decimates communities.”
Abigail Spanberger is the former U.S. Rep. from Virginia. If elected she expressed an interest in working with legislators to implement a sales regulation system that adheres to what voters prefer.
As Virginia begins to create a legalized cannabis retail market, the congresswoman has told MEDCAN24 she is convinced that “the Commonwealth” needs a “clear strategy for setting up a marketplace that’s safe for consumers and transparent for business.”
She also stated that her position is that the revenue from cannabis commercial products should be returned to Virginian communities for reinvestment in public education and other purposes.
If elected, Spanberger stated that she would “work with General Assembly leaders to find a way forward which both prioritizes the public’s safety and increases Virginia’s economic growth”.
Last year, the candidate also said “there are a lot of gray areas in terms of how we procure recreational marijuana within Virginia—and the state needs “a clear strategy and plan to transition Virginia into a state that has legalized retail markets that can focus on these concerns.”
Spanberger voted in favor of federal marijuana legalization twice during her tenure in Congress. She consistently supported bills to open up banking services, protect state cannabis programs from federal intervention and expand marijuana-related research. She also opposed a plan to strip protections from universities who study cannabis.
However, she voted against some reform proposals. These included measures that would lift certain barriers to research for Schedule I drug and revise the federal policy so past marijuana usage could not be used to determine eligibility to receive a security clearance.
Spanberger sponsored bills on medical marijuana access for military vets twice, and cosponsored SAFE Banking Act in the 116th Congress.
On Twitter, she stated that in 2018, she was for legislation to change marijuana’s classification to Schedule III.
Medical marijuana
I also support HR 1227, which would reclassify marijuana from Class I to Class III. Also, I support HR 1220 that would change the classification of marijuana from class I to class III.— Abigail Spanberger (@SpanbergerForVA) February 23, 2018
Earle Sears’s record is limited on this issue, although she didn’t seem to object when Youngkin repeatedly blocked efforts in his state to legalize cannabis for adults with the veto pen.
The Republican candidate for governor said, in a 2023 John Reid Show interview, that, “whenever you turn, you’re going to be faced with another issue, none of which makes sense except to people who want us to remain divided.” She cited cannabis reform to illustrate this dynamic.
I mean, what was the point of legalizing marijuana? How are you going get a new job? What’s the likelihood of you being hired?” Earle-Sears said. “I mean, really. So, yeah, I mean, really.
Earle Sears stated that in 2021 recreational marijuana will “destroy us”. In addition, she revealed to having fired an earlier employee because they used the drug.
“I had to let somebody go who worked for me—found out he was on marijuana. “You can’t come to work with me. You’re going to wreck someone’s home. We’re going to be decimated, as marijuana is a gateway,” said she. “There’s no hope, and there isn’t a future.”
MEDCAN24 contacted Earle Sears’s campaign in order to obtain more details on her marijuana policy. However, a representative wasn’t available at the time this article was published.
Spanberger’s position is that “a legalized and emerging market for cannabis” needs to be formalized.
It is also important to check that [tax] revenues flow into Virginia and are used to strengthen our communities and public schools,” she said, adding that future sales law should be crafted so that it “prioritizes public safety and grows the Virginia economy.”
JM Pedini is the executive director of Virginia NORML, and also serves as development director for NORML’s national organization. He told MEDCAN24, “The choice for Virginia voters is clear: Abigail Spanberger favors legalizing and regulating marijuana sales to adults over 21.” Winsome Earle-Sears does not.”
Meanwhile, a top Democratic Virginia senator recently said the state should move forward with legalizing recreational marijuana sales—in part to offset the Trump administration’s cuts to federal spending in support of states.
Youngkin has vetoed two bills that were passed by the Legislature to establish a commercial market for cannabis after 2022 when the State legalized the possession and usage of the drug by adults.
Senate President pro Tem Louise Lucas, a Democrat, said with increased spending anticipated in Virginia due to federal initiatives, like the removal of federal funds for welfare to state governments, that it is time to focus on alternative sources of revenue. This should include marijuana sales.
Del. Paul Krizek is the Democratic chairperson of a commission that was tasked with creating and recommending a market for cannabis. He said that “the top priority [of lawmakers]”is to make sure they are not putting people at risk and have strict and effective oversight.
“But we’ll get it going as soon as judiciously possible,” he said.
Last month, the panel met for a second time to discuss tax options and revenue sources related to marijuana sales.
That came almost two months after the commission first convened, as members discussed broad regulatory considerations and other issues related to THC potency, the hemp market and more.
Use and possession of marijuana has been legal in Virginia since 2022, but retail sales remain forbidden—a situation that’s helped fuel a multibillion-dollar illicit market. Despite efforts by Democrats in past years to legalize and regulate the retail system, Youngkin has stood in the way of the reform, vetoing proposals passed by lawmakers during each of the last two sessions.
Youngkin’s term is limited and she cannot run again in November. In the near future, the replacement governor will likely decide if regulated products can be purchased in the commonwealth.
He has also been against more gradual reforms. In May, for example, he vetoed a bill that would have allowed deliveries of medical marijuana directly to patients at locations other than their own homes. This bill also would have required updated labeling standards so the packaging of products would clearly state THC levels and CBD amounts.
In March, after the legislature passed the legislation, Youngkin recommended an amendment that would remove language to allow marijuana to be delivered to places other than a patient’s private residence. Lawmakers later declined to make that change, however, and sent the unamended bill back to the governor.
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Youngkin in March also vetoed a host of other drug reform proposals passed by lawmakers, including the legal sales bill and another to authorize the prescription of a synthetic form of psilocybin as soon as the federal government authorizes its use.
Beyond the legal sales and psilocybin bills, the governor also rejected a number of other cannabis-related reforms this session, including efforts to resentence people serving time for cannabis offenses and protect the parental rights of those who legally use the drug.
Youngkin said in a statement of veto that the legalization of sales for adult use marijuana would “endanger Virginians health and safety.”
Governor claimed that “States who have followed this path are seeing adverse effects in terms of children and adolescents’ safety and health. There is also an increase in gang violence and violent crimes, a decline mental health, a decrease road safety as well as significant retail marijuana costs which exceed the revenue from taxes.” It also doesn’t eliminate illegal black market sales of cannabis nor does it guarantee product safety.
Even before the start of the current legislative session, Youngkin’s office had signaled it had no interest in the reform.
Christian Martinez told Virginia Public Media, late last year, that the Youngkin had been clear in their stance on the issue.
Reform advocates are already watching to see where his possible replacements stand on legalization and other cannabis policy changes.
Brian Shamblen provided the photo.
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