Virginia officials in the administration of Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) and lawmakers who sponsored a bill to legalize recreational marijuana sales that the governor vetoed last month have met recently to discuss the possibility of enacting the reform through budget legislation that is due to be passed soon.
The sides are getting closer to reaching a deal, several sources said.
“The negotiation with the governor has been very fruitful and it is clear that we have made a great deal of progress,” Del. Paul Krizek (D), who sponsored the House of Delegates version of the cannabis sales legislation, told Marijuana Moment on Friday.
Lawmakers passed the cannabis sales bills in March, but the governor then suggested changes to the legalization proposal—including delaying the start date for sales by six months, increasing taxes and instituting new criminal penalties for cannabis consumers. The legislature in April declined to take up the amendments during a one-day reconvened session, however, effectively rejecting them. Spanberger then issued a veto.
Spanberger herself has sat down in recent days with Krizek and Sen. Lashrecse Aird (D), who sponsored the Senate version of the legislation, two sources familiar with the negotiations told Marijuana Moment. Krizek also met on
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