HB 698

Abstract

Cannabis control; retail market; penalties. Establishes a framework for the creation of a retail marijuana market in the Commonwealth, to be administered by the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority. The bill allows the Authority to begin issuing all marijuana licenses on September 1, 2024, but provides that no retail sales may occur prior to May 1, 2025. This bill is identical to SB 448.

Cannabis control; retail market; penalties. Establishes a framework for the creation of a retail marijuana market in the Commonwealth, to be administered by the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority (the Authority). The bill allows the Authority to begin issuing all marijuana licenses on July 1, 2025; however, the bill (i) allows certain micro business to begin operations, other than retail sales, on July 1, 2024, or the date on which the Board of Directors of the Authority (the Board) provides notice to the Division of Legislative Services (the Division) that it is prepared to provide oversight of such operations, whichever is later, and (ii) allows pharmaceutical processors, certain micro businesses, and five industrial hemp processors to fully operate, including engaging in retail sales, on January 1, 2025, or the date on which the Board provides notice to the Division that it is prepared to provide oversight of such operations and sales, whichever is later.

Cannabis control; retail market; penalties.Establishes a framework for the creation of a retail marijuana marketin the Commonwealth, to be administered by the Virginia CannabisControl Authority. The bill allows the Authority to begin issuingall marijuana licenses on July 1, 2025; however, the bill allows certainpharmaceutical processors to begin operations on July 1, 2024, andallows a limited number of other licensees to begin operations onJanuary 1, 2025.