Virginia Strikes Budget Deal to Legalize Recreational Cannabis by 2027

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger and lawmakers unveiled a negotiated budget plan to legalize adult‑use cannabis sales, setting a July 1, 2027 launch, a 2‑ounce purchase limit, and a broad regulatory framework overseen by the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority. The package includes a 6% excise tax plus 5.3% state/local sales taxes (with local option up to 3.5%), rising the excise tax to 8% by 2029, and a civil penalty for public consumption of $250 (effective July 1, 2027). It would permit up to about 350 stores, end local opt‑outs for cannabis operations, and direct revenue to the Cannabis Equity Reinvestment Fund and public health initiatives, with provisions on licensing, hemp oversight, and potential on‑site consumption ideas under study. Advocates say the deal moves Virginia toward a regulated market, though some penalties drew concerns.