Virginia Senate Advances Marijuana Sales Bill, Resentencing Relief

Virginia's Senate Courts of Justice Committee advanced two marijuana reform bills Wednesday, moving the state closer to establishing legal cannabis sales and clearing past convictions.

The committee approved Sen. Lashrecse Aird's (D) recreational sales legislation in a 9-6 vote, while a companion resentencing measure passed 12-3. Both bills now head to the full Senate for consideration.

Virginia legalized adult-use possession in 2021, but lawmakers have struggled for three years to create a retail framework. The current situation allows residents to possess and grow cannabis but provides no legal avenue to purchase it—a gap that's fueled unlicensed sales and frustrated reform advocates.

The Market Question

Aird's bill would finally establish regulated dispensaries across the Commonwealth. The legislation comes as neighboring states like Maryland and Washington D.C. have already launched adult-use markets, creating what some Virginia lawmakers see as a competitive disadvantage.

The narrow 9-6 vote in committee signals continued Republican resistance to commercial sales, even as public polling shows majority support for regulation. Conservative senators have raised concerns about impaired driving and youth access, despite data from other states showing minimal increases in either metric.

Meanwhile, Virginia's medical marijuana program—which launched with five vertically integrated operators—has seen modest growth but faces criticism over high prices and limited patient access.

Clearing the Record

The resentencing bill addresses a key social equity concern: thousands of Virginians still carry criminal records for conduct that's now legal. The measure would allow people convicted of marijuana possession or distribution to petition courts for relief.

"This is about fixing the harm we caused," one legislative aide told reporters after the vote, speaking on background. The aide noted that Black Virginians were arrested for marijuana at rates three times higher than white residents, despite similar usage rates.

Expungement advocates have pushed for automatic record clearing, but lawmakers opted for a petition-based system that requires court review. Critics say the process creates barriers—legal fees, court appearances, paperwork—that may prevent many people from seeking relief.

What Happens Next

Both bills face uncertain prospects in the full Senate, where Democrats hold a slim majority but moderate members have expressed reservations about commercial sales timing. The House of Delegates, currently under Republican control, presents an even steeper challenge.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) has opposed recreational sales legislation in the past, though he hasn't explicitly threatened a veto if these bills reach his desk. His office didn't immediately respond to requests for comment Wednesday.

The legislative session ends in late February, giving supporters roughly six weeks to navigate both chambers and potentially negotiate with the governor's office. If the bills fail, Virginia would enter its fourth year of legal possession without legal sales—a situation that's become increasingly untenable as the unlicensed market expands.

Industry observers note that further delays could complicate Virginia's eventual market launch, as multi-state operators increasingly focus resources on established markets rather than speculative opportunities.

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This article is based on original reporting by www.marijuanamoment.net.