Virginia’s Incoming Governor Lists Priorities She Wants In Marijuana Sales Legalization Bill If She’s Going To Sign It

The Democratic governor-elect of Virginia is laying out what “needs to be” included in a marijuana sales legalization bill in order for her to sign it into law—such as “strong labeling” requirements and allocating tax revenue toward education.

In an interview with WDBJ7 that was published on Friday, incoming Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D), who supports cannabis reform, was asked about the future of marijuana policy in the commonwealth under her administration.

“Right now is that we live in this gray space where there’s some legality to marijuana, there’s some illegality,” she said. “There’s a lot of questions—a lot of confusion—and that creates real problems for Virginians who might currently have the legal ability to buy it for medicinal needs, or for those who might try to fall under the personal use.”

Cannabis has been legal to possess and cultivate for adult use since 2021, but there’s currently no retail access for non-medical marijuana. Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R), who leaves office next month, has vetoed bills passed by the legislature to establish a commercial recreational cannabis market—but advocates have been encouraged by Spanberger’s position in favor of the policy change.

“A consumer should always know what they are buying, and so that means strong labeling,” the governor-elect said. “That means understanding the strength… If you go and you buy a pack of beer, you know what percentage alcohol that beer is, you know what proof a liquor is, so you have an understanding of what it is that you’re actually purchasing. I think that is extraordinarily important with all marijuana-related products.”

“So it needs to be well-regulated, well-labeled, and the revenue needs to be part of ensuring facilitating that regulation,” she added. “And also, with any new revenue stream you get to decide where it goes, it is incredibly important to me that that new revenue stream, in addition to going towards regulation, be invested in education.”

Meanwhile, earlier this month, Virginia’s Senate president pro tempore filed a bill to provide relief for people convicted of past cannabis crimes, mandating that individuals with certain offenses automatically receive resentencing hearings and have their punishments adjusted. Youngkin has vetoed similar proposals in past sessions.

—Marijuana Moment is tracking hundreds of cannabis, psychedelics and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters pledging at least $25/month get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so they don’t miss any developments.

Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.—

Also this month, the legislature’s Joint Commission to Oversee the Transition of the Commonwealth into a Cannabis Retail Market unveiled a much-anticipated proposal to legalize recreational marijuana sales that it is recommending lawmakers pass during the 2026 session.

Sen. Louise Lucas (D), the Senate president pro tempore, recently said the state should move forward with legalizing recreational marijuana sales—in part to offset the Trump administration’s cuts to federal spending in support of states.

Separately, the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry published a new document this month outlining workplace protections for cannabis consumers.

Photo courtesy of Mike Latimer.