Bill > HB642

This bill establishes a framework for a retail marijuana market in Virginia, to be overseen by the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority (VCCA), with no retail sales permitted before January 1, 2027. It revises definitions related to hemp products to align with the VCCA's regulatory authority, moving oversight of certain regulated hemp products from the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to the VCCA. The bill also introduces new licensing categories for marijuana establishments, including cultivation facilities, processing facilities, transporters, delivery operators, microbusinesses, retail stores, and testing facilities, with specific regulations for each, including canopy limits for cultivation and restrictions on vertical integration. It establishes an "impact licensee" category to promote participation from communities disproportionately affected by past marijuana prohibition, offering financial and technical assistance through the Virginia Cannabis Equity Business Loan Fund. The bill details requirements for product testing, labeling, packaging, and advertising, and sets penalties for violations, including civil penalties and license suspensions or revocations. It also addresses home cultivation of marijuana for personal use, allowing up to four plants per residence, and includes provisions for tribal governments to regulate marijuana on their lands through compacts with the Commonwealth. Furthermore, the bill amends various sections of the Code of Virginia to reflect the new regulatory structure, including changes to disclosure requirements for state officers and employees, and updates to laws concerning controlled substances and drug paraphernalia to include marijuana. The bill also includes provisions for the transfer of employees from the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to the VCCA and outlines specific timelines for the VCCA to issue licenses, adopt regulations, and report on market performance and equity initiatives.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB642