Virginia Medical Marijuana Market
Adult-Use Cannabis Stalls in Virginia
While Virginia approved adult-use cannabis in 2021, the bill also required the General Assembly to later reenact parts of the legislation, including regulations and licensing details that would have allowed sales by early 2024. Despite some early glimmers of hope in the 2023 legislative session, the measure eventually stalled enough that approval in the current legislative session is out of reach.
Cannabis Advocacy and Early Business Planning
Complicating the final approval was opposition from Governor Youngkin and Republican control of one of the state legislative chambers. With the Virginia legislature meeting only every other year, the next shot at pushing adult-use into reality is on hold until the VA legislature convenes in 2025. In that session, however, Youngkin will still be in the governor’s seat as his term expires in 2026.
The next opportunity for change for voters to support cannabis-friendly candidates in the November 2023 General Assembly elections. Advocacy efforts will be important throughout the election cycle. Another important action to take is to be a vocal advocate by contacting your state legislators. Find out how to take just a few minutes to help move adult-use cannabis legalization forward in Virginia.
Prepare For A Virginia Cannabis License Now
To prepare for an eventual adult-use program in Virginia, our cannabis consultants can work with you to prepare your business plan and financial model. Our adult-use licensing consultants can guide you through important steps to take now so you are ready to apply for a license in Virginia when the legislative barriers are resolved.
Contact our expert cannabis consultants today for help with your Virginia cannabis business.
Top Consulting Services for the Virginia Medical Marijuana Market
Cannabis Business Guidance in Virginia
Virginia still has a pretty limited medical marijuana program in which licensing is highly competitive. We can help you sort through the regulations, educate you on the market conditions and opportunities, and prepare your business for future licensing rounds as the state makes them available. Early preparation and industry education are essential in any competitive cannabis market, so starting early is your best chance of submitting a winning application.
Contact our consultants today for opportunity assessments and hourly learning sessions with our Subject Matter Experts.
Virginia Cannabis Market Conditions
The Virginia Department of Health Professions issued a Request for Applications to operate a pharmaceutical processor in 2018. These processors are able to cultivate cannabis for the production and/or dispensing of CBD oil or THC-A oil. Pharmaceutical processor winners were announced in September of 2018.
Three bills were passed in 2019 that expand the state's program even more:
New Products and Additional Healthcare Practitioners
New legislation allows a variety of product formulations instead of just oils, like capsules, suppositories, lozenges, topicals, and lollipops, each with up to 10 milligrams of THC. In addition, physician assistants and nurse practitioners are now permitted to issue medical marijuana written certifications once they are registered with the Board of Pharmacy.
Administering Medical Marijuana in Schools
Additional legislation benefits children who are registered medical marijuana patients, allowing them to receive their medicine from their school's healthcare practitioner. Virginia is the fourth state to allow medical marijuana to be administered to student registered patients.
Registered Agents Pickup and/or Delivery Authorization
A third bill makes it legal for "registered agents" of patients to pick up or receive medical marijuana for that patient. This addresses the issue of patient access for those who are physically unable to get their medicine, such as those who have home healthcare providers, or those living in hospice and assisted living facilities.
A smarter, more strategic approach to Virginia medical marijuana licenses
Lean on our proven expertise and unparalleled track record to successfully secure your Virginia cannabis license.