Sponsors of state budget language creating Virginia’s retail marijuana market are debunking what they called “inaccurate reports and social media claims” that the language jumpstarted the sales a year ahead of schedule and essentially relaxed enforcement of the state’s pot laws, including those addressing underage selling.
In a statement released July 9, Sen. Lashrecse Aird, D-Henrico County, and Del. Paul Krizek, D-Alexandria, blamed the barrage of claims on opponents of the market, which launches July 1, 2027. They said the budget language does the opposite of what opponents say it does – providing strong age-restrictions among other regulations on selling marijuana.
Claims that the state has already begun selling cannabis and that people from North Carolina are crossing the state line into Virginia to buy “are unequivocally false,” they said.
“Unfortunately, misinformation spreads quickly, particularly when it involves complex legislation,” Aird said in the statement.
Added Krizek: "The budget language passed by the General Assembly did not legalize cannabis possession by minors, did not legalize the distribution of...
Virginia lawmakers are refuting claims that new budget language has relaxed marijuana laws or started sales early. The new framework for the retail marijuana market, set to launch in 2027, include...