Category: Virginia

Virginia lawmakers have approved legislation that could establish a regulated adult-use cannabis retail market beginning in 2027. The measure would move the state beyond its current system, which allows possession but not retail sales, while regulators continue to consider public health and youth access concerns as part of the rulemaking process.

Ahead of its February meeting, the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority Board of Directors received written public comments urging revisions to testing standards, licensing caps, social equity criteria, workforce development policy, and insurance protections as Virginia prepares for adult-use retail sales in 2026.

The Virginia Cannabis Control Authority has introduced a new Medical Cannabis Program Dashboard — an interactive, public-facing tool designed to give patients, providers, policymakers, and other stakeholders a clearer view of how the state’s medical cannabis system is performing. Housed on the CCA’s official website, the dashboard pulls from the state’s seed-to-sale tracking data to…

While some lawmakers push for restorative measures, a parallel effort in the Senate has moved toward a significant escalation in criminal penalties for unlicensed cannabis activity. Recent amendments added to Senate Bill 542, the primary vehicle for establishing a retail adult-use market, have sparked a debate over the potential return to “War on Drugs” era…

HB1432 seeks to align cannabis penalties for minors with those for alcohol by replacing criminal charges with a restorative civil framework. Under this bill, individuals under 21 would receive a series of warnings and social service referrals rather than facing arrests, criminal records, or the loss of driving privileges. The goal is to prioritize education…

Virginia’s HB 642 would establish the legal structure for adult-use cannabis retail and specifies that no retail sales may begin before November 1, 2026. The eventual launch date will depend on legislative approval and the governor’s signature.

Federal prosecutors say a Newport News luxury car dealership was used as a base of operations for a multi-year drug trafficking conspiracy spanning the Mid-Atlantic. The organization’s leader, Cortez Dayshawn Bumphus, was sentenced to 40 years in prison following his conviction on drug, firearm, and money laundering charges.

Virginia small vape businesses are challenging the 2024 “Vape Ban,” arguing it favors Big Tobacco and blocks smaller competitors. The federal court partially granted a preliminary injunction, stopping some enforcement while claims of federal preemption and constitutional violations proceed.

Starting December 1, 2025, all medical cannabis certifications in Virginia will be issued through the CCA Portal, replacing paper forms. Existing certifications remain valid until they expire, and patients can access new certifications securely on any device. Learn how this change makes the process faster, simpler, and more secure for both patients and practitioners.

Las Vegas woman was arrested at Washington Dulles International Airport on Sunday after U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers discovered more than 59 pounds of marijuana in her checked baggage bound for Frankfurt, Germany.