After a conference committee reached agreement on a final version of Senate Bill 542/House Bill 642, both the Senate and House have now approved that compromise measure and sent it Governor Abigail Spanberger. The Senate voted 21 to 18, while the House voted 64 to 32.
The bill, sponsored by State Senator Lashrecse Aird (D), would establish a framework for licensed retail marijuana sales in the commonwealth while also setting penalties and enforcement provisions tied to the regulated market. The House and Senate had previously approved different versions of the legislation, requiring a conference committee to negotiate a final compromise. After that agreement was reached, the Senate approved the conference report yesterday, and the House has now followed suit.
With both chambers now having signed off on the same language, the measure will next go to the governor for consideration. Governor Spanberger, who campaigned on legalizing licensed recreational cannabis sales, is expected to sign the bill into law if it reaches her desk.
The proposed law would allow those 21 and older to purchase up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis per transaction, with sales begining as soon as January, 2027. The regulatory and licensing system would be overseen by the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority, with cannabis receiving a 6% excise tax and a 5.2% retail sales tax. Unlike most other legal cannabis states, cities would not be allowed to opt out of allowing licensed cannabis sales, although they do have the authority to establish a local cannabis tax of 1% to 3.5%
The Virginia Legislature has twice before approved a similar measure, but both times it was vetoed by then-Governor Glenn Youngkin.
