VA Cannabis Commission
Resource Page

Are you interested in updates and resources to better understand the commission and drug policy in Virginia?

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Marijuana Justice is Advocating for:

A Unified, Evidence-Based Strategy for Virginia

Virginia has the benefit of hindsight and can address both illicit market threats with a smart, unified strategy by:

  • Mandate a clear separation between producers and retailers. To foster genuine competition, prioritize licensing a significant number of independent small businesses, such as a hundred plus microbusinesses and tier 1 cultivators, to create a dynamic market capable of competing on price and quality.

  • Establish sufficient retail density—approximately one store per 25,000 residents—and provide for statewide delivery services. The most effective way to combat the illicit market is to ensure the legal alternative is convenient.

  • Keep combined state and local excise and sales taxes at or below 20%. Excessive taxation creates the price gaps that allow the illicit market to thrive.

  • Explicitly prohibit “gifting” schemes and grant the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority (VCCA) robust civil enforcement powers, including the authority to levy substantial daily fines against illicit operators and the landlords who enable them.

  • To prevent speculative hoarding, include a clear “use-it-or-lose-it” provision that requires all licensees to be operational within a specific time period. After reviewing the circumstances of each operator, licenses not meeting this deadline should revert to the state for reallocation, prioritizing equity applicants.

Who are the members of the Joint Commission to Oversee the Transition of the Commonwealth into a Cannabis Retail Market?

  • Del. Paul Krizek, Chair (D)

    House District 16 – Fairfax County
    General Laws & Appropriations Committee

    Email

  • Del. Cia Price (D)

    House District 85 – Newport News
    General Laws Committee

    Email

  • Del. Katrina Callsen (D)

    House District 54 – Charlottesville
    Courts of Justice Committee


    Email

  • Del. Rae Cousins (D)

    House District 79 – Richmond
    Courts of Justice Committee

    Email

  • Del. Buddy Fowler (R)

    House District 59 – Hanover
    General Laws Committee

    Email

  • Del. Will Morefield (R)

    House District 43 – Bland
    Appropriations & General Laws Committee

    Email

  • Sen. Adam Ebbin (D) 

    Senate District 39 – Alexandria
    Finance and Appropriations Committee

    Email

  • Sen. Lashrecse Aird (D) 

    Senate District 13 – Petersburg
    Courts of Justice Committee

    Email

  • Sen. Christie New Craig (R)

    Senate District 19 – Virginia Beach|
    Rehabilitation and Social Services Committee

    Email

  • Sen. Saddam Salim

    Senate District 37 – Fairfax County
    Courts of Justice & Rehabilitation and Social Services Committee

    Email

Want to Join? Here are the upcoming meetings!

  • August 20th

    1:30pm EST

    Join in person at this location or watch the live stream below.

    Watch the Livestream

Resources and Media

JLARC Study 2020

Intermediate

Advanced

 FAQs

Here’s the basics

  • The Cannabis Commission, formally called the Joint Commission to Oversee the Transition of the Commonwealth into a Cannabis Retail Market, is a group of Virginia state legislators that meets to discuss policy, review presentations, and hear public comment on cannabis-related policy. They will make recommendations to the larger state legislature on what to do.

  • The Cannabis Commission is the best way to have a direct line to policymakers to express your opinions on cannabis policy. There is a designated period at the end of each meeting called “public comment” where you can line up to say your piece.

  • There will be 4 meetings in 2025:

    1. Wednesday, July 9th

    2. Wednesday, August 20th

    3. TBA

    4. TBA

  • You can either come to the meeting and speak in-person during the public comment section or sign up to speak virtually using this link. [link or insert the guide] The Chair will often give a time limit for public comment, so make sure to be as concise as possible!

  • An agenda will be posted by the Commission before the meeting. You can find the agenda linked under the name of the meeting on the House of Delegates Meeting Schedule.

  • Item descriptionIn 2024 and 2025, the state legislature passed the bill to allow for retail marijuana stores, but the bills were vetoed by Governor Youngkin. In 2026, a new governor will be sworn into office. If this Governor signs the bill into law, the marketplace will begin in mid- to late 2026.


Do you have a question we haven’t answered or want to share your testimony?

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