Companies sue over Valley medical marijuana permit
Seven businesses are suing Virginia over a disputed medical marijuana permit in the Shenandoah Valley region, citing violations of FOIA and VAPA laws.
Virginia’s future retail marijuana market likely depends on gubernatorial election
Gov. Glenn Youngkin vetoes marijuana retail bill again. The outcome of this year’s gubernatorial race, between Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears and Democratic former Rep. Abigail Spanberger, could determine if marijuana retail sales are implemented.
This 420, Virginians can possess marijuana but still can’t buy it
Rolling into a 420 weekend seems like a good time to do an overview of Virginia’s current marijuana landscape. In 2021, Virginia became the first state in the South to legalize marijuana. If you’re 21 years old or older, you can lawfully possess up to one ounce of weed and grow up to four marijuana […]
Cannabis authority chooses Shenandoah Valley provider
On Thursday morning, the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority selected AYR Virginia, a wholly owned subsidiary of AYR Wellness, a cannabis operator in eight states, as the winner of a conditional approval that puts it on the path to become the sole licensed pharmaceutical processor of medical cannabis for a region of Virginia that includes the […]
Top Five August 2024
The five most popular daily news stories on VirginiaBusiness.com from June 12 to July 12 included news of Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s appointees now holding a majority on the governing boards of Virginia’s state colleges and universities. 1 | Youngkin peppers university boards with GOP power players New members included some conservative movers […]
Competition’s fierce for Shenandoah medical marijuana permit
UPDATE: State delays choosing Shenandoah medical marijuana provider The Virginia Cannabis Control Authority (CCA) received 40 complete applications for conditional permits to operate as the state’s sole licensed pharmaceutical processor of medical cannabis for a region including the Shenandoah Valley, as well as Charlottesville, Fredericksburg and the counties of Spotsylvania and Stafford. A[...]
Not with a bang, but a whimper
This story has been updated since publication. Despite lofty promises from Democrats and Republicans, divided government in Richmond meant few wins or losses for either party during the 2024 General Assembly session — and few sweeping changes for Virginia in the year ahead. “The only thing that the legislature really did is the one thing […]
State delays choosing Shenandoah medical marijuana provider
At its June 26 meeting, the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority was expected to announce which company, among 40 applicants, had been selected from a highly competitive process to become the sole licensed pharmaceutical processor of medical cannabis for a region including the entire Shenandoah Valley, as well as the cities of Charlottesville and Fredericksburg and […]
Forty applicants vying for Shenandoah medical marijuana license
Forty complete applications were received for conditional permits to operate as the state’s sole licensed pharmaceutical processor of medical cannabis for a region including the Shenandoah Valley, as well as the cities of Charlottesville and Fredericksburg and the counties of Spotsylvania and Stafford, according to the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority. Each company paid an $18,000 [&helli[...]
Shenandoah medical marijuana applications due April 30
While working as an occupational therapist, Stewart Bossman injured his back attempting to help a falling patient. That happened almost 25 years ago, but Bossman continues to deal with back pain. “I’ve had four back surgeries and one neck surgery,” he said, “so sometimes it’s just hard to take.” Bossman, 69, buys CBD drops, which […]
Both sides of Va. recreational cannabis debate tout improved health and safety
RICHMOND — Three years, four sessions and one veto since the first legislative attempt, Virginia still does not have a recreational cannabis market. Potential investors say that makes it hard to plan for the future. Advocates and some politicians say the reasons the governor gave for his recent veto are only exacerbated by preventing recreational […]
Pot of gold
Placing aside the morality of marijuana use, let’s consider how much money Virginia is currently leaving on the table without a regulated, taxed recreational cannabis market. In 2020, directed by the Virginia General Assembly, which was then under Democratic control, the Joint Legislative Audit & Review Commission conducted a study on legalizing marijuana in Virginia. […]