Election results bode well for cannabis policy reform

In 2021, Virginia became the first state in the South, and the 17th in the nation, to legalize cannabis for adults!

Adults can now legally possess and share up to one ounce of cannabis and cultivate up to four cannabis plants at their primary residence. You can check out our full summary of the law here.

However, sales remain illegal and unregulated. It is up to the legislature to pass legislation to allow legal cannabis sales in the state. Last legislative session, a legal cannabis sales bill faced opposition in the then-Republican-controlled House. But the results of the 2023 General Election brought new legislators to the General Assembly. The House flipped to Democratic control, while Democrats maintained their majority in the Senate.

Still, even with changes in the legislature, cannabis policy reform could face opposition from Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R), who has been wary of allowing legal cannabis sales in Virginia. Please email Gov. Youngkin today and ask him to support legal, regulated cannabis sales!

Odor of cannabis can no longer be used as a pretext for searches

During a special session in late 2020, both chambers of the Virginia General Assembly approved, and former Gov. Northam signed, a modest cannabis reform bill — SB 5029.

This legislation prevents law enforcement from using the odor of cannabis as a pretext for searching and seizing property. The bill became law and went into effect on March 1, 2021.

Virginia becomes 34th state to enact a comprehensive medical cannabis law

Since enacting a 2017 law that permitted patients suffering from intractable epilepsy to use some types of cannabis oil with a doctor’s certification, lawmakers have continually improved Virginia's medical cannabis program.

Several improvements went into effect on July 1, 2020, making Virginia the 34th state with an effective medical cannabis program. Patients are now formally protected from arrest and prosecution for possessing their medicine — they no longer merely have an affirmative defense. Additionally, Virginia patients with any condition are now able to receive recommendations to use and purchase cannabis preparations with no more than 10 milligrams of THC per dose.

In 2021, the legislature passed legislation that improved the medical cannabis law by allowing patients to use whole-plant, “botanical” cannabis (HB 2218/SB 1333). The legislature also passed a bill that protects patients from being disciplined or fired by their employers for using medical cannabis away from work (HB 1862). Then-Gov. Northam (D) signed the bills in March, and they took effect on July 1, 2021.

Additionally, effective July 1, 2022, patients and caregivers are no longer required to register with the Board of Pharmacy. A Written Certification for the Use of Medical Cannabis from a Registered Practitioner for Medical Cannabis is still required and must be presented at the dispensary, along with a government-issued ID, to obtain medical cannabis products.

You can check out our full summary of the medical cannabis law here. Optional registration card applications, a list of current registered practitioners for medical cannabis, and a list of medical cannabis dispensing locations can be found though the Board of Pharmacy website.
 

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