to regulate the cannabis market in Virginia, which would have created jobs, generated revenue, and ensured product safety,” Rouse said in a statement
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin Vetoes Bill to Legalize Recreational Marijuana Sales, Citing Health and Safety Concerns
In a bold move, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has vetoed a bill that would have legalized recreational marijuana sales in the state. The governor expressed concerns about the potential dangers to health and safety that could come with regulated cannabis sales.
The legislation, known as SB 448 in the Senate and HB 698 in the House of Delegates, aimed to establish a regulated cannabis market in Virginia, including provisions for licensing of small and large retailers. This comes three years after the state legalized the possession of small amounts of marijuana for adults.
However, when Republicans gained control of the House of Delegates in 2021, a required second vote to legalize regulated cannabis sales was never held. Governor Youngkin stated in his veto statement that the proposed legalization of retail marijuana in the Commonwealth could have adverse effects on children and adolescents, increased gang activity and violent crime, and significant costs that outweigh potential tax revenue.
He also pointed out that legalizing cannabis sales would not eliminate the illegal black market or guarantee product safety. The governor believes that addressing the inconsistencies in enforcement and regulation of current laws does not justify expanding access to cannabis, especially when other states have seen negative consequences.
Democrats Disappointed by Veto, Fear Further Empowerment of Unregulated Weed Economy
While Governor Youngkin had previously made it clear that he was not interested in authorizing regulated weed sales in Virginia, Democrats had hoped the legislation could serve as a bargaining chip in negotiations for a $2 billion sports complex in northern Virginia, which the governor supports. However, the final state budget was passed without funding for the proposal, setting the stage for Thursday’s veto of the cannabis sales bill.
Democratic Delegate Paul Krizek, the lead sponsor of the bill in the House of Delegates, expressed disappointment in the governor’s decision, stating that it will only further empower the state’s unregulated weed economy and pose risks to public safety.
Similarly, Democratic state Senator Aaron R. Rouse, the sponsor of the Senate version of the bill, criticized Youngkin’s refusal to approve the legislation, citing missed opportunities for job creation, revenue generation, and product safety.
