Gov. Glenn Youngkin hasn’t indicated whether or not he will sign the bill.
FAIRFAX, Va. (DC News Now) — Legalizing recreational marijuana sales in Virginia is now in Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s hands. The Democratic-controlled General Assembly sent the bill to his desk on Wednesday.
Democrats in both the House and Senate pushed the measure that would put the recreational marijuana market in play by May 2025. The legislation also creates a state Cannabis Control Authority that would regulate the industry.
The sales tax on marijuana would be 11.6 percent.
“We believe this is something that not only do we want to happen, but it’s something that needs to happen,” said Bobby Vincent III, the regional compliance manager for Beyond Hello, a medical marijuana dispensary with several locations all around Northern Virginia.
Youngkin has not indicated whether or not he will sign the bill.
Vincent said that the demand for legal cannabis in Virginia is growing. Legislators approved the adult possession of small amounts of recreational marijuana in 2021.
“They’re excited, they’re eager, they’re anxious,” Vincent said of the people who want to consume marijuana.
The possibility of legalizing cannabis sales and expanding its recreational use is creating buzz, especially for those who buy marijuana from dispensaries like Beyond Hello.
“I’m sure it will pass. It’s probably a billion-dollar industry or more,” said Joseph Park, 32, who uses cannabis to help him deal with his end-stage renal failure.
“Cannabis is something that takes away all the nausea and stuff, so anything going in that direction is good for me,” he said. “I think if the government can get money from it, then they’ll accept it.”
Vincent said that legalizing the sale of cannabis allows Virginia to “build a billion-dollar industry” that will create thousands of new jobs.
“And we have the ability to raise hundreds of thousands of tax dollars,” he said.
And will the governor sign the bill? Vincent said he thinks so once Youngkin recognizes the financial windfall for the state.
“We’re very optimistic that he is going to understand the need here in this state,” he said.