Cannabis Status: Opening
On April 7, 2021, Virginia became the first state in the South to begin the process of legalizing adult-use cannabis with the adoption of House Bill 2312 and Senate Bill 1406. Unlike some other states, Virginia has a slow rollout plan for beginning their cannabis market. Adult-use possession became legal on July 1st, 2021 along with limited personal cultivation.
Over the next three years the state will slowly roll out implementation regulations for the legal marketplace with an emphasis on social equity, public health and public safety. On July 1st, 2021 the Cannabis Control Authority was formed, which will adopt final state regulations following approval from the state’s General Assembly in 2022. If all plans stay on schedule, the state plans on beginning cannabis sales on January 1st, 2024.
Name: Virginia
Population: 8.536 million
Median Income: $74,222
Cannabis Uses: Cultivation, Manufacturing, Testing, Wholesaler, Retail
Virginia Cannabis Overview: The Cannabis Control Authority was recently formed on July 1st, 2021. The CCA will adopt final regulations for zoning and application processes in 2022 at the earliest with a target date of January 1st, 2024 for retail sales to begin in the state.
