Virginia Governor, Ralph Northam has announced appointments to the three newly created boards responsible for overseeing the legalization of recreational marijuana in the Commonwealth. Virginia became the first Southern state to pass adult-use cannabis legislation with changes going into effect on July 1. The new law legalizes simple possession and home cultivation for adults 21 and over, seals some marijuana-related records, and creates a new independent state entity, the Cannabis Control Authority, to regulate the cannabis market. In the coming years, the General Assembly must reenact sections of the bill and the CCA must implement regulations before legal sales of cannabis can begin. “Virginia is committed to legalizing cannabis the right way—by learning from other states, by listening to public health and safety experts, and by centering social equity,” said Northam. “There is a tremendous amount of work ahead to establish an adult-use marijuana market in our Commonwealth, and I am proud to appoint these talented Virginians who will bring diverse backgrounds, an incredible depth of expertise, and a shared commitment to public service to this important effort.”
Mmp News Author, Medical Marijuana Program Connection, 07/24/2021 20:50:00