General Assembly Poised to Pass Historic Legislation toLaunch Virginia’s Cannabis Retail Market

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, March 13, 2026
Contact: Mario Salgado
Chief of Staff
maria@paulkrizek.com
804-839-5876

Jameson Babb
Chief of Staff
jbabb@lashrecseaird.com
757-719-0287

General Assembly Poised to Pass Historic Legislation to Launch Virginia’s
Cannabis Retail Market

RICHMOND, VA – Delegate Paul Krizek (D-Fairfax) and Senator Lashrecse Aird (D-Henrico) released the following statement as their historic legislation establishing a regulated adult-use cannabis retail market in Virginia has passed the Virginia Senate and is poised to pass the Virginia General Assembly, sending the legislation on to Governor Abigail Spanberger for final approval.

The legislation follows years of policy development, including work through the Joint Commission to Oversee the Transition of the Commonwealth into a Cannabis Retail Market where Delegate Krizek and Senator Aird serve as Chair and Vice-Chair, respectively.

After Virginia legalized possession of small amounts of cannabis in 2021 without establishing a legal retail market, the Commonwealth was left in a gray area in which illicit sales quickly filled the gap. The Joint Commission convened lawmakers, regulators, industry experts, and community stakeholders to study how Virginia could most effectively transition to a safe, regulated marketplace.

The final legislation reflects a balanced, negotiated compromise between the House and Senate and incorporates significant feedback from regulators, public health experts, small business advocates, industry leaders and community stakeholders, all with the shared goal of moving Virginia forward.

Key Elements of the Legislation:

• Retail sales would begin January 1, 2027.

• The bill sets a 6% state cannabis tax, allows localities to adopt a 1–3.5% local tax, and applies existing retail sales and use taxes.

• Forty percent of cannabis tax revenues will be directed to early childhood care and education, and 30 percent will support the Cannabis Equity Reinvestment Fund.

• The legislation creates pathways for entrepreneurs historically and disproportionately affected by marijuana prohibition to participate in the legal market through impact license opportunities and financing support.

• The legislation strengthens enforcement tools to combat illicit cannabis sales and consolidates oversight of intoxicating hemp products under the Cannabis Control Authority to ensure consistent testing, safety standards, and regulation.

“For four years, the absence of a legal marketplace has left Virginians purchasing cannabis in an unregulated system, depriving consumers of safety protections and sending billions of dollars into the illicit market and delaying economic opportunities for communities that have been disproportionately impacted by prohibition. This legislation brings that market into the light with clear rules, consumer protections, and enforcement tools that allow us to target the illicit market while ensuring products sold in Virginia are tested and safe,” said Delegate Paul Krizek (D-Fairfax).
“The goal is simple: protect public safety, create a well-regulated marketplace and finally move beyond the chaos of the unregulated system we have today.”

“With the passage of today’s legislation, Virginia joins more than two dozen states that have moved beyond legalization to establish a safe, regulated cannabis marketplace. This legislation is about building a responsible and inclusive cannabis market that works for Virginia communities. By creating strong pathways for impact licensees and small businesses, we are working to ensure that those who bore the brunt of prohibition have real opportunities to participate in this emerging industry,” said Senator Lashrecse Aird (D-Henrico). “At the same time, bringing this market into a regulated framework allows us to address the illicit market, protect consumers, increase small business opportunities, and support early childhood education and reinvestment in communities across the Commonwealth.”

Delegate Paul Krizek has served as a voice for the Mount Vernon and Franconia communities of Fairfax County in the General Assembly since 2016. He is the chair of the House General Laws ABC/Gaming subcommittee. During the past two legislative sessions, Delegate Krizek carried the adult- use retail cannabis market bills, HB2485 (2025) and HB698 (2024).

Senator Lashrecse Aird represents eight diverse localities driving her consistent approach of pragmatic governing – known as a champion on education issues, criminal justice reform, reproductive healthcare access, and economic development. With a willingness to reach across the aisle and work bipartisan to get things done, Senator Aird has a proven track record of legislative successes at the State Capitol.

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