Virginia’s cannabis policy continues to shift, as lawmakers reject Governor Glenn Youngkin’s proposed cannabis delivery limits—but uphold other key vetoes.
In a major move for medical marijuana access, Virginia lawmakers have voted to reject proposed cannabis delivery limits that would have restricted where and how patients receive their medication. The bill in question, HB 1989, included language expanding medical cannabis delivery beyond just private residences and allowing independent contractors to serve as delivery drivers. Governor Youngkin attempted to remove those provisions, but lawmakers weren’t having it.
By standing firm, the legislature preserved broader delivery access—marking a small but meaningful win for medical cannabis patients across the state.
Rejecting Cannabis Delivery Limits: What It Means for Patients
The blocked cannabis delivery limits were part of an effort by the governor to roll back patient access improvements. If his amendments had gone through, licensed dispensaries would only be allowed to deliver medical cannabis to private homes, and only through direct employees—cutting out gig economy workers and restricting flexibility.
Fortunately, both chambers of the General Assembly disagreed. The House refused to adopt the changes, sending the original version of the bill back to Youngkin. Now, the governor must choose whether to sign it into law or issue a full veto. With the original bill passing the Senate 30–10 and the House 84–14, support is strong. Lawmakers and advocates made it clear: cannabis delivery limits won’t fly in Virginia.
Criminal Record Sealing Moves Forward—With a Delay
While lawmakers took a stand on delivery, they were more flexible when it came to sealing cannabis-related criminal records. Bills HB 2723 and SB 1466 aim to expand automatic and petition-based record sealing, allowing for the cleanup of arrests and dismissed charges related to marijuana.
Youngkin supported the general idea but pushed back implementation timelines by six months. The General Assembly accepted these changes. So the reforms are still happening—but not as fast as originally planned.
This compromise means more people will eventually see their records cleared, but the state will move at a slower pace than advocates hoped.
Legal Sales, Resentencing, and Parental Rights: Dead on Arrival
While rejecting cannabis delivery limits shows progress, Virginia still lags behind on major reform.
Governor Youngkin vetoed multiple cannabis-related bills this session, and efforts to override those vetoes failed. Among the blocked proposals:
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Retail Sales Launch: Once again, Virginia failed to launch an adult-use retail cannabis market, despite legalization passing in 2021. This is the second year in a row Youngkin has shut it down.
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Resentencing for Cannabis Offenses: A bill that would have allowed people currently incarcerated for cannabis convictions to request resentencing was also vetoed.
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Parental Protections: Another vetoed measure would have protected the parental rights of individuals who use cannabis legally.
Each of these bills was designed to clean up the contradictions in Virginia’s cannabis laws, especially where legalization and criminal justice intersect. But for now, the governor’s veto pen remains a major barrier to progress.
New Legislative Commission Eyes Future Cannabis Policy
While cannabis delivery limits were defeated and key reforms were blocked, there’s still momentum behind future policy shifts.
Lawmakers passed HJ 497, a resolution that creates a new bipartisan cannabis commission. This joint committee of ten lawmakers will be tasked with studying the state’s cannabis landscape, monitoring the rollout of marijuana laws, and recommending future legislation.
A previous version of this commission expired last year. Bringing it back signals that, despite current setbacks, lawmakers are still eyeing the long game.
Psychedelic Therapy for Veterans: Still Off the Table
Outside of cannabis, another major health-related bill failed to gain traction. SB 1101, introduced by Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, would have created a council to study psychedelic-assisted therapy options for veterans using FDA-approved breakthrough treatments like psilocybin and MDMA.
Although it passed in the Senate, a House subcommittee shelved the bill indefinitely. This marks the second year in a row similar legislation failed to advance.
Advocates cited Virginia’s large veteran population and rising mental health crisis as urgent reasons to explore alternative therapies. However, lawmakers appear hesitant to open the door to psychedelics—at least for now.
Final Thoughts: A Mixed Bag for Cannabis in Virginia
This legislative session was a rollercoaster for cannabis in Virginia. The defeat of proposed cannabis delivery limits is a bright spot, showing that lawmakers are willing to protect patient access. But the rejection of retail sales, resentencing, and parental protections shows just how far the state still has to go.
At the heart of the debate is a disconnect between what the public wants and what the governor supports. Until that gap is bridged, Virginia’s cannabis policy will remain stuck in a strange middle ground—legal, but inaccessible. Approved, but unfinished.
The creation of a new cannabis commission offers a glimmer of hope. With expert input and legislative focus, the state could finally begin to untangle the contradictions in its cannabis laws. Until then, advocates will continue fighting for reforms that center patients, equity, and real-world solutions.
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