A Virginia legislative commission on marijuana has unveiled a much-anticipated proposal to legalize recreational marijuana sales that it is recommending lawmakers pass during the 2026 session. And with an incoming governor supportive of the cannabis reform, advocates are optimistic that the plan could come fruition.
After months of hearings and debate, the legislature’s Joint Commission to Oversee the Transition of the Commonwealth into a Cannabis Retail Market released a framework for an adult-use marijuana program at its final meeting on Tuesday.
Since legalizing cannabis possession and home cultivation in 2021, Virginia lawmakers have worked to establish a commercial marijuana market—only to have those efforts consistently stalled under outgoing Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R), who twice vetoed measures to enact it that were sent to his desk by the legislature.
Once the next legislative session begins in January, the new proposal is expected to be sponsored by Del. Paul Krizek (D), who has served as chair of the commission, as well as Sens. Louise Lucas (D) and Aaron Rouse (D).
Notably, the latest version of the recommended legislation omits language from previous measures that would’ve allowed local jurisdictions to opt out of allowing marijuana businesses within their borders, while also increasing the authority
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