Virginia Gov. Virginia Gov.

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger, a Democrat from Virginia, vetoed a measure on Tuesday to establish a market for adult-use marijuana after legislators rejected her alternative proposal last month.

Spanberger, who said during the campaign that she would approve a proposal for cannabis sales, vetoed it. This continues a precedent set by Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin three years ago. Glenn Youngkin vetoed the two measures on cannabis sales in 2024 and 2020. It is almost certain that the cannabis issue will not be resolved until 2027, the next session of the legislature.

In his veto, the governor claims that the bill “would create a retail market for cannabis products, without the timeframe, structure or resources necessary to successfully implement it.”

In her alternative proposal, she aimed to move the launch date of the market from January 1, 2020 to July 1, 2020, decrease the number retailers, and increase the penalties for criminal conduct.

Spanberger noted in a statement that she still shares the General Assembly’s “goal of establishing a safe, legal, and well-regulated cannabis retail marketplace in the Commonwealth,” but suggested that the proposal sent by lawmakers lacked a “regulatory framework … fully prepared to provide strong oversight from day one.”

Del. Paul Krizek and Senator Lashresce Aird said the veto will only perpetuate the situation that exists in Virginia. It is now legal to consume and possess cannabis but cannot be traded commercially.

Virginia’s attempts to create a safe and regulated adult-use marijuana market have been stopped despite public input, years of hard work and a general recognition that the current status quo fails Virginians. — Aird, via the Virginia Mercury

This move follows Spanberger’s signing last week of a bill establishing a resentencing system for cannabis-related felony offenses.

Stephanie Shepard is the executive director at the Last Prisoner Project. The organization advocates for individuals incarcerated on cannabis related convictions.

Shepard stated in a press release that it was not logical for Virginia to acknowledge the harms caused by cannabis prohibition while blocking a market regulated for the substance. Without legal adult-use cannabis sales, the consumers are unprotected. Small businesses wait and those communities that have been most affected by prohibition will not be able to take part in a legal cannabis market.

Cannabis Law Resources for Poland

Browse essential legal pages on cannabis sales and cultivation in Poland. You can use these resources to learn about the requirements for certification, permissions and compliance.

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  Polish News Registration and Interests of Cannabis Businesses
  
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  Permissions for Cannabis Sales in Poland
  
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  Authorization for Importing or Manufacturing Medical Products
  
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  Permission for Manufacturing or Importing Medical Products
  
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  Certificate of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)
  
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  Registration of Medical Products in Poland