By a vote of 53 to 46, the Virginia House of Delegates today approved House Bill 2485 through its third and final reading.
The bill’s companion measure, Senate Bill 970, was passed by the Senate last week in a 21 to 19 vote. The legislation will soon head to Governor Glenn Youngkin, who has vowed to veto the measure. The legislature could override a veto, but only with a two-thirds majority.
House Bill 2485, along with its Senate counterpart, would establish a regulated retail marijuana market in Virginia, which remains the only one of the 24 states that have legalized marijuana but still prohibit retail sales.
If enacted, the bill would authorize the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority to issue licenses for marijuana cultivation, processing, testing, and retail sales. The regulatory framework would allow licensing to begin on September 1, 2025, with sales projected to start by May 1, 2026. Additionally, the legislation would increase the legal possession limit for adults 21 and older from one ounce to 2.5 ounces.
Virginia legalized the possession of marijuana in 2021 but has yet to create a legal marketplace for sales. Supporters of the bill argue that its passage is necessary to regulate the market, reduce illicit sales, and bring Virginia in line with other states that have established legal marijuana industries. However, with Youngkin’s firm opposition, the bill’s fate now hinges on whether the legislature can muster the two-thirds majority needed to override a veto.
