A top Democratic Virginia senator says 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.
The legislature passed two bills in order to establish a commercial market for cannabis after 2022 when the state will legalize the possession and consumption of marijuana by adults. However, Governor Glenn Youngkin (R) vetoed both proposals.
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.
Lucas said on Virginia Public Radio that “we have an unavoidable responsibility” to create and generate a sustainable and long-term source of income to protect core programs and services.
Del. Paul Krizek, (D), the chair of a Joint Commission tasked to study and make recommendations on creating a marijuana market, stated that lawmakers “top priority” is to ensure that they are not setting up people for failure and have strict supervision mechanisms and a phased-in expansion.
“But, we’ll start it as quickly as possible,” said he.
Last week, members of Krizek’s panel met for the second time to discuss taxation and revenue options related to cannabis 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. Youngkin has stood against reform despite efforts made by Democrats to legalize and control the retail system in recent years. He has also vetoed bills passed by legislators during the two most recent 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.
The Governor has also been opposed to more incremental 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. The bill would also have updated the product labeling so that packaging could more clearly show THC and CBD content.
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 stated in his veto letter that legalizing the sale of marijuana for adults “endangers Virginians’ health and security.”
The governor said that states following this route have experienced adverse health effects and increased violent crime. They also saw a significant decline in road safety and deterioration of mental health. Retail marijuana has also resulted in significant costs, which far outweigh the tax revenues. 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, the Youngkin’s spokesperson, was asked by Virginia Public Media last year whether a veto would be likely. He told them: “I believe you can point to the fact that he is very clear about that.”
Reform advocates are already watching to see where his possible replacements stand on legalization and other cannabis policy changes.
The two major party nominees 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 also claimed that marijuana was a gateway drug, and fired an employee because they used it.
Spanberger supported a regulated wholesale market.
She stated, “We require a formalized legal cannabis market.” We also have to ensure that [tax] The revenues generated in Virginia go to support our public schools, communities and local governments.”
She said in a statement made to Virginia Public Radio that a future law on sales should “prioritize public safety” and grow the Virginia economy.
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