RICHMOND, Va. (WDBJ) – The plan to create a retail marijuana marketplace in Virginia has cleared an early hurdle in the General Assembly.
Friday morning, members of the Senate Rehabilitation and Social Services Committee approved the measure, in an 8-to-7 vote that fell along party lines.
They voted to report the bill, and re-refer it to the Senate Courts of Justice Committee.
Earlier, members voted to consolidate two competing bills from Sen. Aaron Rouse (D-Virginia Beach) and Sen. Lashrecse Aird (D-Petersburg).
Senate Bill 542 now includes a start date of January 1, 2027.
Another version of the cannabis legislation is being considered in the House of Delegates.
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