With a new majority in the House of Delegates, Virginia Republicans are seeking changes to the Virginia marijuana legalization bill passed by state lawmakers last year. Republican lawmakers have advanced several proposals to change the legalization bill, including moving up the date of licensed retail sales, altering the amount of cannabis taxes and how the revenue is spent, as well as potential amendments to the legislation’s social equity provisions. When Virginia’s marijuana legalization bill was passed along strict party lines in 2021, Democrats held a majority in both houses of the state legislature. But Republicans regained control of the House of Delegates in the November election, and now hold a 52-48 majority in the chamber. Democrats maintained their hold on the state Senate with a razor-thin majority of 21-19. Under Virginia’s cannabis legalization bill, possession of up to one ounce of marijuana will become legal on January 1, 2024. At the same time, regulations governing the production and sale of adult-use cannabis will go into effect, and legal sales of recreational marijuana will begin at licensed dispensaries. Another provision of the legislation requires lawmakers to take a vote on the regulatory plan, giving Republicans an opportunity to propose changes to the regulations.
Cannabis Now, Cannabis Now, 02/10/2022 14:22:00
Open article: https://cannabisnow.com/virginia-republicans-want-changes-to-cannabis-bill/