adult use

Virginia Gov. Vetoes Adult-Use Cannabis Sales Bill Despite Campaign Promise

Published

16 hours ago

May 21, 2026

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Virginia Gov. Vetoes Adult-Use Cannabis Sales Bill Despite Campaign Promise

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) vetoed a bill on Tuesday to create an adult cannabis market after lawmakers rejected its replacement proposal last month.

Although she said during the campaign that she would sign a cannabis sales proposal, Spanberger’s veto continues a three-year precedent set by her predecessor, Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who vetoed two measures to sell cannabis in 2024 and 2025. The measure does not guarantee further progress until the next legislative session207.

Of the governor the veto message claims the legislation “will create a retail market for cannabis products without the timeline, structure or resources to successfully implement it”.

Her replacement proposal sought to push back the market’s launch date from January 1, 2027, to July 1, 2027, reduce the number of retailers at launch, and increase penalties for criminal conduct.

Spanberger noted in a statement that she still shares the General Assembly’s “goal to create a safe, legal and well-regulated retail cannabis market in the Commonwealth,” but suggested the proposal sent by lawmakers lacked a “regulatory framework … fully prepared to provide strong oversight from day one.”

Sponsors of the legislation, Del. Paul Krizek (D) and Sen. Lashresce Aird (D), said that the veto only perpetuates the unusual situation in Virginia, where it is legal to possess and consume cannabis, but it cannot be traded commercially.

“Once again, Virginia’s efforts to create a safe, regulated and equitable adult-use cannabis market have stalled despite years of work, public input and widespread recognition that the status quo is failing Virginians.” – Aird, via the Virginia Mercury

The move follows Spanberger last week signed a bill establishing a sentencing process for certain convictions for cannabis-related crimes.

“Governor Spanberger’s veto of adult-use cannabis legislation is a serious mistake,” said Stephanie Shepard, executive director of The Last Prisoners Projectan organization that advocates for the release of individuals incarcerated for cannabis-related convictions. “It makes no sense for Virginia to recognize the harms of cannabis prohibition by signing marijuana back into law while continuing to block a regulated market for the same substance,” Shepard said in a statement. “Without legal adult sales, consumers are left vulnerable, small businesses are left on hold, and communities most affected by prohibition are denied a fair opportunity to participate in the legal cannabis economy.”

JM Pedini, Development Director of NORML and Executive Director of Virginia’s NORML chapter, also issued a statement condemning the veto:

“Governor Spanberger’s veto is a deep disappointment to the many Virginia voters who believed her when she said on the campaign trail that she supported creating a regulated adult-use cannabis market. It’s also a slap in the face to years of serious work undertaken by lawmakers, policy experts, advocates, public health experts, half public health stakeholders than half interest groups. while carefully debating and crafting this legislation, rather than building on that work, the Governor scrapped it in favor of unprecedented proposals to recriminalize cannabis users, proposals that lawmakers rightly rejected.

adult use

Survey: 67% of Gen Z Have Consumed Cannabis, 28% Report Daily Consumption

Published

2 days ago

May 20, 2026

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Survey: 67% of Gen Z Have Consumed Cannabis, 28% Report Daily Consumption

Sixty-seven percent of Gen Zers consume cannabis, with 28% reporting daily use, according to a EduBirdie Survey published last month. Eighteen percent of respondents said they use cannabis several times a week, with 8% saying they use it several times a month, 13% saying they only used cannabis on special occasions, and 6% saying they only tried cannabis once.

Twenty-seven percent of respondents said they have never tried cannabis.

Over a quarter (27%) said they spend between $50 and $100 a month on cannabis, while 21% spend between $100 and $200; 16% spend between $20 and $50; 12% spend less than $20; 11% spend between $200 and $500; 10% spend nothing; and 3% spend more than $500.

According to the survey, almost half (48%) had consumed cannabis before a family event, while 36% had consumed cannabis before a date; 26% had used cannabis before a work meeting; 27% had consumed before the exam; 25% before a job interview; 22% before a class or lecture; and 15% before a team building event. Twenty-nine percent of respondents said they had not used cannabis before a significant event.

The majority (55%) of respondents said they do not consume cannabis while working from home, in the office or on campus; while respectively 35%, 17% and 12% of the respondents have admitted that they have consumed cannabis in those countries.

The majority of respondents (53%) said they used cannabis to relieve stress, while 29% said cannabis improves creativity, 22% said it improves performance, 16% said it causes anxiety and 14% said cannabis causes forgetfulness. Only 2% of respondents said that cannabis had “no noticeable effects”.

Most respondents said that cannabis has no negative impact on their lives; however, 17% said they had spent money they could not afford on cannabis; 15% had serious arguments with their family about the use of cannabis; and 12% had suffered physically or mentally. The majority of respondents (68%) said they had never experienced negative effects from someone else’s cannabis use.

The survey also found that 42% of respondents were completely open about their cannabis use, while 13% said they hid it from a partner or family; 12% hid it from colleagues; and 10% hid it from their friends.

The survey included 2,000 US Gen Z participants (ages 21-29) recruited online.

adult use

New Jersey Court Rules In Favor of Cops Terminated for Off-Duty Cannabis Use

Published

1 week ago

May 14, 2026

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New Jersey Court Rules In Favor of Cops Terminated for Off-Duty Cannabis Use

A New Jersey appeals court ruled this month that two Jersey City police officers should be reinstated and allowed to carry firearms after they were previously fired for off-duty cannabis use. NJ.com reports.

State law protects employees from discipline for off-duty cannabis use as long as there is no evidence of on-duty impairment. But the officers, Omar Polanco and Norhan Mansour, were both removed from active duty in March 2023 after testing positive for cannabis during random drug tests, and later admitted to using state-regulated cannabis products.

The officers were not charged with being drunk on the job, but the state argued that the federal Gun Control Act prevents cannabis users from legally possessing firearms.

The court concluded that firearms issued for police duty would fall under a federal exception to the law. According to the ruling, the officers were awarded back pay, plus the benefits and seniority they lost due to their reassignment.

Michael P. Rubas, the officers’ attorney, said in the report that, “Jersey City is flagrantly violating the law, flagrantly violating the Attorney General’s directives and taking jobs unfavorable to these officers.”

Based in Portland, Oregon, Graham is the editor-in-chief of Ganjapreneur. He has been writing about the legalization landscape since 2012 and has contributed to Ganjapreneur since our official launch in…
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Target Adds Intoxicating Hemp Beverages to Stores in Florida, Texas, & Illinois

Published

1 week ago

May 13, 2026

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Target Adds Intoxicating Hemp Beverages to Stores in Florida, Texas, & Illinois

Target is adding THC-infused hemp drinks to its locations in Florida, Texas and Illinois. BevNet reports. The products will be available in more than 300 locations across three states – including all locations in Florida and Texas.

In Illinois, the products will be available in municipalities that allow the sale of intoxicating hemp products.

A spokesperson for the retail giant told BevNet that the company is “always exploring new ways to meet … evolving guest preferences, based on … merchandising authority and focus on carefully thought-out curation of a relevant assortment.”

last year, The objective was announced would sell hemp liquor at 10 locations in Minnesota. That pilot included the Birdie, Cann, Gigli, Hi Seltzer, Indeed, Señorita, Stigma, Surly, Trail Magic, Wonder, Wyld and Wynk brands. According to BevNet, Target last month received approval from the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management to sell lower-potency hemp products in 72 additional stores next year.

According to the report, some of the brands from the Minnesota startup, including Cann, Wynk, Trail Magic, Stigma, Gigli, Señorita and Daizy’s, will be included in the three-state expansion.

While the October launch in Minnesota was initially limited to 5-milligram products, the company added 10-milligram varieties.