Overview
After years of false starts and vetoes, Virginia lawmakers approved legislation to establish a legal adult-use cannabis retail market. Under the plan, retail sales could begin Nov 1, 2026. The state tax rate would be 12.875% plus a 3% local option. Permit applications begin July 2026, seed-to-sale tracking starts Sept 1, and the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority administers the system. Gov. Spanberger supports the measure. Virginia legalized possession in 2021 but never finalized a commercial framework—leaving a gap that spurred unregulated gray markets.
Clinical Perspective
🔹 VIRGINIA APPROVES CANNABIS RETAIL FRAMEWORK
After years of vetoes and false starts, Virginia is moving.
📈 ️ Retail sales: Nov 1, 2026
🔹 State tax: 12.875% + 3% local option
🔹 Applications open: July 2026
🔹 Seed-to-sale tracking: Sept 1, 2026
🔹 Virginia Cannabis Control Authority administers
🔹 Gov. Spanberger supports the measure
📈 Projected: $400M+ annual revenue over 5 years
📈 Up to 100 microbusiness licenses prioritized
🔹 ️ Equity provisions and labor peace agreements included
Virginia legalized possession in 2021 — but never created a legal place to BUY it. That gap fueled unregulated gray markets.
Now, finally: a regulated marketplace.
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Source: https://virginiamercury.com/2026/02/17/virginia-general-assembly-advances-cannabis-retail-framework/