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Sponsors Of Virginia Marijuana Sales Legalization Bill Ask Colleagues To Reject Governor’s Amendments, Risking A Veto

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Sponsors of Virginia bills to legalize the sale of recreational marijuana are urging lawmakers to vote this week to reject the governor’s proposed amendments to the legislation.

Last week, Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) He proposed changes to the measure to legalize the trade in cannabis—including delaying the start of sales by six months, increasing taxes and introducing new criminal penalties for cannabis users.

Sen. Lashrecse Aird (D) and Del. Paul Krizek (D), who sponsored the Senate and House versions, respectively, of the bill to legalize the sale of cannabis, both told Marihuana Momenti that they want their colleagues to vote against the amendments when the legislature reconvenes on Wednesday, even though that could put Spanberger’s veto at risk when the measure returns to his desk.

“While the governor and I share the goal of establishing a safe and regulated market for cannabis, we differ on the best way to achieve it,” Aird said.

“As our conversations continue, I urge the governor to reconsider provisions that reintroduce punitive measures that undermine the intent of legalization, shift critical elements of the framework to an uncertain regulatory process, and remove key supports for affected licensees.”

Krizek noted, “A few years ago the legislature took bipartisan steps to end racially discriminatory marijuana policing here in Virginia.”

“But unfortunately, and probably unintentionally, because he has not been involved in this years-long process,” he said, “the governor’s proposed amendments would repeal some of these decriminalization laws and undermine what has been a thorough, thoughtful and balanced process of crafting this legislation with community and stakeholder engagement that has brought us to this more regulated and responsive cannabis framework.”

“When we legalized cannabis, it was in recognition of the disproportionate harm caused by the war on cannabis, especially among black families,” said the House lawmaker. “This bill was intentional in recognizing that, but much of that intentionality is lost with many of the amendments.”

Krizek told WTOP radio that he expected some of the governor’s corrections after meeting with him earlier this month, but was “surprised” by others that never came up during the debate.

The lawmaker said Spanberger is concerned about the “pretty draconian penalties” suggested in the bill, adding that because it suggests a full replacement version of the legislation, rather than piecemeal amendments, the House and Senate can take up or leave the package as a whole instead of considering each change individually.

The Legislature rejects the proposal Wednesday, and after the governor vetoes the original proposal, lawmakers would have to start with new bills in the 2027 session.

Krizek said in the radio interview that he believes the governor is “very open to dialogue and compromise.”

“We can do it next session. We can pass the bill that we know he’s going to sign, and let his administration know that I’m willing to work with him and make it happen,” he said. “We’re going to keep meeting, and we’re going to take a lot of those suggestions that he has in his version, and we’re going to see what we agree on.”

As for Spanberger’s proposed criminal penalties, however, Krizek said, “I’m not very hopeful about backing down on that front, but I think it’s just a matter of negotiating with him and explaining where we are and why.”

He also told Marihuana Momenti on Tuesday that he is “hopeful that with further discussion and negotiation we can find a compromise that will maintain a balance between justice and public safety.”

A spokesman for the governor say The Richmond Times-Dispatch said it is “committed to working with patrons to end the jobs,” and sidestepped the outlet’s question about whether it would veto the original bill if lawmakers bring it back this week.

Spanberger, for his part, responded Criticism of the cannabis amendments from bill sponsors and advocates saying that the suggested changes came after him He spoke with leaders of other states that have already established adult marijuana markets.

Personal marijuana possession and home cultivation have been legal in Virginia since 2021, but former Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) twice vetoed bills to provide consumers with a way to legally purchase adult cannabis.

Here are other key details of cannabis bills:SB 542 and HB 642-Approved by the legislators and with the amendments proposed by the governor:

  • Lawmakers voted to allow adults to purchase up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana in a single transaction, or up to an equivalent amount of other cannabis products specified by regulators. This represents an increase from the current legal limit of 1 ounce. The governor, however, wants to raise the amount to only 2 ounces.
  • Under the Legislature’s plan, legal sales could begin on January 1, 2027, but the governor is proposing to push that back to July 1, 2027.
  • Lawmakers voted to impose a 6 percent excise tax on cannabis sales and 5.3 percent on retail sales and use, while allowing municipalities to impose an additional local tax of up to 3.5 percent. The governor’s plan is largely the same, though it would raise the excise tax to 8 percent starting July 1, 2029.
  • Under the legislation approved by lawmakers, the revenue would be allocated to the Cannabis Equity Reinvestment Fund (30 percent), early childhood education (40 percent), the Department of Behavioral and Developmental Health Services (25 percent) and public health initiatives (5 percent). The governor, however, wants to direct all revenue to the general fund for purposes such as “early childhood education, behavioral health, public health awareness, prevention, treatment and recovery services, workforce development, reentry, indigent criminal defense and targeted reinvestment in historically disadvantaged communities.”
  • The Virginia Cannabis Control Authority would oversee licensing and regulation of the new industry, and would also take over oversight of hemp, which currently falls under the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
  • Local governments could not allow marijuana companies to operate in their area.
  • Delivery services would be allowed.
  • Serving sizes would be limited to 10 milligrams of THC, with no more than 100 mg of THC per package.
  • The governor is proposing to make public use of marijuana a Class 4 felony instead of a civil violation punishable by a $25 fine under current law. It also seeks to make possession of cannabis by anyone under 21 a Class 1 felony, punishable by a mandatory minimum fine of $500 or 50 hours of community service, as well as a driver’s license suspension of at least six months. The illegal sale or distribution of 50 pounds or more of marijuana would be a Class 2 felony punishable by jail time.
  • The governor wants to eliminate support for the Cannabis Equity Reinvestment Fund.
  • Existing medical cannabis operators could enter the adult use market if they pay a license conversion fee set at $10 million.
  • Cannabis businesses should implement peaceful labor agreements with their employees.
  • As approved by lawmakers, the bill would have directed a legislative committee to consider adding local consumer licenses and micro-enterprise cannabis event permits that would allow licensees to hold sales at farmers markets or pop-up locations, but the governor is proposing to remove that language.

Meanwhile, Spanberger also suggested significant amendments to differentiate the legislation resentence mitigation for people with prior marijuana convictions.

Separately, the governor signed several other reform bills this week, including measures protecting the parental rights of marijuana users and giving patients access to medical cannabis in hospitals.

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ATACH releases comprehensive report on the future of hemp

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April 22, 2026

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The American Trade Association for Cannabis and Hemp (ATACH) today released the 2026 Hemp Intoxicants Report, an analysis of the federal and state regulatory landscape for hemp-derived products in light of the most important federal hemp law change since the 2018 Farm Bill.

In November 2025, Congress enacted PL 119-37, formally redefining hemp to exclude intoxicating products, closing a loophole that allowed an unregulated synthetic THC market to emerge.

“Congress has closed the Farm Bill loophole,” said ATACH President Michael Bronstein. “The policy environment remains dynamic: a CMS hemp pilot program is underway, the marijuana rescheduling process is underway, and states are moving and enacting their own laws around hemp intoxication. In fact, regulations are being written in real time. With the new federal definition of hemp set to take effect on November 12, 2026, the Hemp Intoxicants Report provides reports on today’s market, toxins and how. Next up is industry, regulators and for consumers”.

What the report contains
What Congress Amended – PL 119-37 replaces the delta-9-only standard with an all-THC framework, imposes a limit of 0.4 mg per container on finished products, and excludes synthetic and chemically modified cannabinoids from the definition of hemp and hemp cannabinoids, effective November 12, 2026.

State Overview – A comprehensive review of how states have responded, including six regulatory archetypes, enforcement actions in 24 states, and more than 45 bills pending in the 2025 and 2026 legislative sessions.

CBD moment – For the first time, CBD has a clear federal legal basis – but there is still no path for consumer products through the FDA.

THC Beverages – An emerging category creating its own regulatory conversation, distinct from other hemp intoxicants, and three state models gaining traction.

Transition year – How banks, insurers and supply chains are preparing ahead of the November deadline.

The 2006 Hemp Intoxicants Report is now available here.

For more information:
American Cannabis and Hemp Trade Association
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iAnthus opens new dispensary in Jupiter

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April 21, 2026

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iAnthus Capital Holdings updated its news release dated February 17, 2026, marking the Company’s dispensary location in Tequesta-Jupiter, Florida as its 26th dispensary in Florida. The dispensary began serving patients on April 14, 2026 and expands access to iAnthus’ portfolio of premium cannabis products, including The Vault, Sunshine State and MPX.

“The GrowHealthy dispensary in Tequesta-Jupiter expands patient access in a region that has had limited options in the area,” said Kelly Heinichen, Vice President of Retail Operations at iAnthus. “We are committed to providing the best experience for patients in Palm Beach County: fast service, knowledgeable teams and the best flower genetics.”

The dispensary is strategically located along the US-1 corridor to serve patients in northern Palm Beach County, including Tequesta and surrounding communities, providing one of the most convenient access to medical cannabis in the area. The dispensary offers a full range of cannabis products, including flowers, vapors, concentrates and edibles, supported by a retail model designed for efficiency, education and repeat engagement.

The opening of the Tequesta-Jupiter dispensary is part of a broader effort to enhance iAnthus’ retail presence throughout Florida with an eye toward expanding access in underserved markets. The company continues to invest in its retail platform to provide high service and top quality products. The store is accepting patients before the 4/20 holiday and will have a grand opening celebration on May 15th.

The Tequesta-Jupiter Dispensary, located at 19510 US HWY 1, Jupiter, FL 33469, will be open from 9:00 am to 8:30 pm Monday through Saturday and from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm on Sunday.

For more information:
iAnthus
iAnthus.com










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Pennsylvania Governor Pushes Lawmakers To Legalize Marijuana On 4/20

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April 21, 2026

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Pennsylvania’s governor is using the unofficial cannabis holiday of 4/20 to once again send a bill to lawmakers to legalize marijuana.

Meanwhile, Democratic lawmakers held a hearing on the impact of cannabis convictions and the need for legalization.

“Pennsylvanians looking to buy recreational marijuana are crossing the border into one of our neighboring states that has legalized it,” Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) said in a social media post Monday. “That’s hundreds of millions in revenue being taken out of state instead of being spent here in Pennsylvania.”

“It’s time to finally catch up, and get the legislature to send a bill to my desk and get this done,” he said.

The push comes days after the House of Representatives approved Shapiro’s proposed budget legislation it is based on the revenue that would be generated from the sale of recreational marijuanawhich is not yet legalized in the state.

Governor at the beginning of the year included the legalization of cannabis and the resulting revenue in his budget request. The $53.2 billion budget legislation, which itself does not include provisions to actually legalize marijuana, although it does provide for the resulting money, now goes to the Senate for consideration.

Meanwhile, on Monday, the House Majority Policy Committee held a hearing on the “clean slate” issues of cannabis to examine how criminal records affect people’s lives.

Members heard from representatives of the Last Prisoner Project, Law Enforcement Action Partnership and Community Legal Services.

Rep. Andre Carroll (D) said passing cannabis reform would be “truly transformational” and have a “direct impact” on people across the state.

“States with seemingly nothing else in common, like Mississippi and North Dakota, have already decriminalized cannabis,” he said. “However, Pennsylvania remains one of 19 states in the country where possession of cannabis is a criminal offense, which carries a prison sentence in our commonwealth.”




The Democrat-controlled House of Representatives last year passed a to legalize marijuana and put sales in state dispensariesbut the Republican majority of the Senate has criticized that plan, at the same time not advancing their own cannabis legalization model.

Rep. Darisha Parker (D) said at Monday’s event that “we did our part here in the House, but the Senate is still working.”

Pennsylvania House Democrats also promoted a network demand On Monday, people have the opportunity to contact their state senators to support the legalization of marijuana.

Earlier this month, the House Health Committee approved a bill allowing terminally ill patients to use medical cannabis in hospitals and other health facilities

The legislative developments come as news The poll shows that seven out of ten Pennsylvania voters support the legalization of marijuana for adults—including the support of the majority, across party lines in favor of reform.

When asked “whether they support or oppose the regulation and taxation of legal cannabis for use by adults 21 and older in Pennsylvania,” 69% of respondents said yes. Democratic support was strongest at 72 percent, but also includes 67 percent of Republicans and 64 percent of independents.

Meanwhile, Shapiro continues to pressure lawmakers to pass a bill to legalize marijuana in the state, saying doing so would generate new revenue that could be invested in key programs.

“While some in Harrisburg say we can’t make greater investments in our children, public safety and our economy, know this: If we legalized and regulated adult-use cannabis, we would generate $1.3 billion in revenue for our Commonwealth in the first five years,” the governor said in a recent social media post.

“These are dollars that can be invested in our town and our communities,” he said. “Stop with the excuses. Let’s do this.”

The Independent State Fiscal Office (IFO) announced this in February Legalizing cannabis in Pennsylvania would generate nearly half a billion dollars in annual revenue By 2028, compared to Shapiro’s office projections, revenue is significantly higher.

With a 20 percent excise tax on wholesale cannabis, a 6 percent state sales tax on retail and license fees, the IFO said the governor’s legalization plan would generate $140 million in tax revenue in 2027-2028 and rise to $432 million in 2030-2031.

That’s much higher than what the governor’s office presented in the last executive budget. According to his office’s analysis, legalization would generate about $36.9 billion in tax dollars in the first year from a 20 percent wholesale tax on marijuana, rising gradually to $223.8 million in 2030-2031.

In February, a coalition of drug policy and civil liberties organizations called on Shapiro to play a leadership role bringing together legislative leaders to work on cannabis legalization this session.

Last month, the Senate Law and Justice Committee amended and approved a bill The Cannabis Control Board (CCB) oversees the state’s medical marijuana program and intoxicating hemp products which may eventually regulate adult consumption if legalized in the state.

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