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President Trump and the First Lady participate in a Dinner with the King and Queen of England.
by Rachel Branning
Democratic Governor Abigail Spanberger must either sign or veto legislation that would legalize a retail cannabis market in January of 2027 (Credits: Office of the Governor of Virginia, AP/Kim Chandler, WSET)
RICHMOND, Va. (WSET) — The effort to legalize recreational marijuana sales in Virginia remains unresolved, leaving the Commonwealth in a legal gray area. Right now, adults 21 and older can legally possess, grow and use marijuana, but they cannot legally buy or sell it.
Legislation passed by the Virginia General Assembly aimed to change that by creating a retail market. However, Gov. Abigail Spanberger stopped short of signing the legislation.
Instead, the governor sent the bill back with amendments, including delaying retail sales until July 2027 and adding stricter penalties for public use and underage possession.
“The things that are truly important, particularly as I think about, ‘How do you implement this bill,’ is ‘What are the rules of the road? What are the rules of the road for the retail shop owner? For police on the street? For a would-be consumer,'" Spanberger said.
SEE ALSO: Spanberger asks Virginia lawmakers to delay recreational marijuana sales until July 2027
Supporters say a legal market could generate up to $400 million in tax revenue within five years and help move marijuana sales into regulated environments.
Advocates argue that legalization would make marijuana use safer.
“We have decades of real-world regulatory experience with cannabis in the United States, and many years of regulating medical cannabis here in Virginia," Pedini said. "This is not something the state is entering into lightly. We’re very prepared to undertake this effort, and it’s long overdue to enact these measures."
Still, not all lawmakers agree.
Lawmakers ultimately rejected the governor’s proposed changes, sending the original bill back to her desk and setting up a final decision.
Spanberger is now weighing whether to sign the legislation as written or veto it, a choice that could determine whether Virginia moves forward with retail marijuana sales or continues its current system.
“How is it that we can ensure that every place has an opportunity for clarity on what someone might be purchasing? What is the potency of it? What are the rules?” Spanberger said.
Advocates are watching closely as the decision deadline approaches.
The governor has until May 22 to act. She can sign the bill, veto it, or take no action.
If she vetoes the measure, Virginia would likely have to wait until at least the 2027 legislative session to revisit the issue. If she does nothing, the bill would become law without her signature.
2026 Sinclair, Inc.