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by Rachel Branning
Democratic Governor Abigail Spanberger is asking lawmakers to delay the launch of a regulated retail cannabis market until July 2027, pushing back the original January start date approved by the legislature. (Credits: Office of the Governor of Virginia, AP/Kim Chandler, WSET)
RICHMOND, Va. (WSET) — The future of recreational marijuana sales in Virginia could hinge on the state budget after Gov. Abigail Spanberger vetoed legislation that would have established a legal retail cannabis market in the Commonwealth.
The effort to legalize recreational marijuana sales is now being revived through a different avenue, with lawmakers considering budget language that could pave the way for a regulated retail market.
Virginia remains in a unique position. Since 2021, adults have been allowed to legally possess and grow marijuana, but there is still no legal framework for buying and selling it.
Many Democratic lawmakers and cannabis advocates argue the current system leaves the state in a legal gray area and want to move forward without waiting until the next legislative session. Negotiations between lawmakers and the governor's administration are ongoing as both sides work toward a possible compromise.
Spanberger has said her opposition is rooted in concerns about properly implementing a retail market.
Advocates for legalization argue that a regulated market would provide stronger safeguards than the current situation.
"The sooner the Commonwealth is taking marijuana out of the smoke shop and instead placing it behind that age-verified counter and a state-licensed dispensary… That is how we can implement the best public health and public safety policies to protect youth and to protect those who simply shouldn't have access," said JM Pedini, executive director of Virginia NORML.
Pedini said many Virginians are frustrated by repeated delays in establishing legal sales.
One option being considered is adding language to the state budget that would authorize steps toward creating a retail market.
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Karen Hult, a political science professor at Virginia Tech, said lawmakers have the authority to include policy-related provisions in budget negotiations if both chambers agree.
Supporters say negotiations are making progress, though it remains unclear whether any marijuana-related language will ultimately be included in the final budget.
"Negotiations with the administration are ongoing, and they're making progress toward a compromise. Now, whether or not that means it will be in the budget, I don't know, but looking at the calendar, it would certainly seem to suggest that," Pedini said.
However, not everyone supports using the budget process to advance a policy proposal that was recently vetoed.
Republican Del. Wendell Walker said lawmakers should focus on passing a budget and follow the traditional legislative process for policy debates.
"That is entirely wrong. That's not the way the process was set up," Walker said.
Walker argued that using the budget to advance unrelated legislation could set a troubling precedent.
Whether lawmakers and the governor can reach a compromise may determine whether Virginia finally establishes a legal retail marijuana market or delays the debate yet again.
The House of Delegates is scheduled to reconvene June 18, followed by the State Senate on June 22. Lawmakers face a June 30 deadline to approve the state budget.
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