Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin has vetoed legislation that would allow medical marijuana deliveries to patients outside of their home.
As passed by the legislature earlier this year, the measure—HB 1989, from Del. Alex Askew (D)—would have made a number of changes to the the commonwealth’s existing medical marijuana program. It would, for example, have updated product labeling so that packaging clearly indicated THC and CDB levels. And it would clarify how and where cannabis can be delivered, allowing deliveries in a wide variety of places.
Youngkin, who was a member of the Youngkin Group, recommended in March that the language allowing marijuana delivery to locations other than the patient’s home be removed. The lawmakers later refused to do so and instead sent the original bill to the governor.
The proposal had strong support in both chambers, passing the Senate on a 30–10 vote and winning final approval in the House on an 84–14 margin.
Youngkin, however, rejected this measure in a formal manner on Friday evening.
“While accurate labeling is essential to ensure patients receive consistent and safe medical cannabis,” he wrote in a veto message, “this bill would codify the ability to deliver medical cannabis to commercial businesses and temporary residences, raising public safety and regulatory concerns. Permitting deliveries to businesses—including locations where substance abuse, gambling, or other high-risk activities may occur—creates unnecessary risks for diversion, theft, and unintended access by minors.”
The governor said, “Present regulations provide for the safe and tightly controlled delivery of medical marijuana to patients’ homes.” This framework allows patients to access medical cannabis while maintaining strict safeguards against misuse.
JM Pedini said that Youngkin’s veto was just “another example” of attacks against legal cannabis, and on responsible consumers, which are taking place across the country.
Pedini, in an email to MEDCAN24, said that Governor Youngkin’s veto has deprived Virginians from the direct delivery service they had relied on for many years. Patients will no longer be able receive their medical cannabis at the patient’s residence. This is a significant burden for those patients who do not have the luxury to wait at home at the limited times that the delivery services are available.
Youngkin in March also vetoed a host of other drug reform proposals passed by lawmakers, including one bill that would have legalized retail sales of adult-use marijuana—possession in the state is already legal—and another to authorize the prescription of a synthetic form of psilocybin as soon as the federal government authorizes its use.
The governor rejected several other reforms related to cannabis, such as efforts to punish people who are serving jail time for cannabis crimes and protect parental rights.
Youngkin stated in his veto letter that the sale of marijuana for adults “endangers Virginians’ health and security.”
Governor claimed that “States who have followed this path are seeing adverse effects in terms of children and adolescents’ safety, as well as increased gang violence and violent crimes, deterioration to mental health and decreased road safety. There is also a substantial cost associated with the retail sale of marijuana, far exceeding tax revenues.” The governor also claimed that the law does not guarantee safety of products or eliminate black-market sales.
Use, possession and limited cultivation of cannabis by adults are already legal in Virginia, the result of a Democrat-led proposal approved by lawmakers in 2021. After Republicans gained control over the House of Representatives and the Governor’s Office later in the year, they blocked the reenactment required of a retail regulatory framework. Illicit stores have been opened to cater for consumer demands, and some estimate the illegal market at $3 billion.
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.
Youngkin will not be able to run again for office later in the year. Reform advocates have already begun to watch to see what his potential replacements think about cannabis legalization.
Two frontrunners for the position—Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears and Democratic former U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger—have starkly different views on the reform.
Earle-Sears, who recently shared Youngkin’s view on legalization, said: “There is no hope there.”
She has also stated that marijuana is a gateway substance and she terminated a former employee who used it.
Spanberger has voiced his support for a regulated market.
She said, “We must have a legalized and emerging market for cannabis that is formalized.” She added: “We must also ensure that the cannabis market is legalized and formalized. [tax] The revenues generated in Virginia go to support our public schools, communities and local governments.”
Yet another bill passed this session will take effect without action from the governor: a House joint resolution to re-establish a commission of lawmakers who would study and oversee the state’s implementation of marijuana laws—what’s seen by some as an indication the legislature is intent on future action around cannabis.
HJ 497 will create a joint commission of lawmakers—six from the House, four from the Senate—to study the state’s cannabis system, oversee the implementation of marijuana laws and make recommendations about future legislative changes. This is a sign of hope that anyone who succeeds Youngkin, will be open to the idea of a cannabis commercial market.
A commission of the same name existed previously in the Commonwealth, but its law expired last year and it disbanded.
Chelsea Higgs Wise said that the adoption of this resolution gives Marijuana Justice’s co-founder, Chelsea Higgs Wise (co-founder and executive Director), better access to legislators “leading up the the next general sessions to prepare for adult-use regulations bill”.
In a statement made after the legislation was passed, she told MEDCAN24 that “reestablishing the cannabis oversee commission is essential to examine the concerns raised by all stakeholders.” The commission will provide public testimony as well as a documented discussion of how to craft the proposal for 2026.
After pushing back legislation for years, she continued, “we are able to deliver Virginia an regulated, supervised market that includes testing, safeguards and the opportunity we deserve.”
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Philip Steffan provided the photo.