Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes legal recreational cannabis for adults in the state of Virginia.

Highlights:

• Authorizes the Board to control the possession, sale, transportation, and delivery of marijuana and marijuana products (Sec. 4.1-604). 

• Prohibits Board members or employees from being a principal stockholder or other financial interest (Sec. 4.1-610). 

• Authorizes the governing body of locality to petition the circuit court regarding holding a referendum related to the question of whether marijuana establishments shall be prohibited in the locality (Sec. 4.1-629). 

• Authorizes the Board to grant licenses, hold background checks, and regulate license suspension (Sec. 4.1-700). 

• Establishes a tax of 6% on the sale in the Commonwealth of any mairjuana sale (Sec. 4.1-1003). 

• Prohibits any person from selling, giving, or distributing marijuana products to any individual when he or she has reason to believe they are under the age of 21 years old (Sec. 4.1-1104). 

• Establishes which venues and certain cases possession of mairjuana or marijuana products is unlawful (Sec. 4.1-1105.1)

• Establishes criminal immunity for the purchase, possession, cultivation, manufacture, sale or distribution of marijuana if the person is in compliance with the Board Regulations. (Sec. 4.1-1105.1) 

• Requires sampling each batch of marijuana for testing prior to selling or offering the sale (Sec 4.1-1403). 

• Establishes that following July 1, 2024 Virginia Cannabis Control Authority and the Board of Directors, if in pursuant with the boards regulations, will be permitted to apply for a retail marijuana store license, marijuana manufacturing facility license, marijuana cultivation facility license, and marijuana wholesale license (Sec 6.2-108).

Full Bill Text