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SB542 • 2026

Cannabis control; establishes framework for creation of retail marijuana market, penalties, report.

An Act to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-2499.8, 2.2-2818, 2.2-2905, 2.2-3114, 2.2-3711, as it is currently effective and as it shall become effective, 2.2-3802, 2.2-4024, 3.2-4112, 3.2-4113, 3.2-4116, 3.2-4126, 3.2-5145.1, 3.2-5145.2:1, 3.2-5145.4, 4.1-103, 4.1-105, 4.1-352, 4.1-600, 4.1-601, 4.1-603, 4.1-604, 4.1-606, 4.1-607, 4.1-611, 4.1-614, 4.1-621, 4.1-1100, 4.1-1101, 4.1-1121, 4.1-1402, 4.1-1500, 4.1-1501, 4.1-1502, 4.1-1600 through 4.1-1603.2, 4.1-1604, 5.1-13, 9.1-1101, 15.2-912.4, 16.1-69.40:1, 16.1-260, 16.1-273, 16.1-278.9, 18.2-46.1, 18.2-247, 18.2-248, 18.2-248.01, 18.2-251, 18.2-251.03, 18.2-251.1:1, 18.2-251.1:2, 18.2-251.1:3, 18.2-252, 18.2-254, 18.2-255, 18.2-255.1, 18.2-255.2, 18.2-258, 18.2-258.02, 18.2-258.1, 18.2-265.1, 18.2-265.2, 18.2-265.3, 18.2-287.2, 18.2-308.012, 18.2-308.4, 18.2-371.2, 18.2-460, 18.2-474.1, 19.2-66, 19.2-81, 19.2-81.1, 19.2-83.1, 19.2-188.1, 19.2-303.01, 19.2-386.22 through 19.2-386.25, 19.2-389, as it is currently effective and as it shall become effective, 19.2-389.3, 19.2-392.02, 19.2-392.6 and 19.2-392.12:1<em style="">, </em>as they shall become effective, 22.1-206, 22.1-277.08, 23.1-1301, 46.2-105.2, 46.2-347, 48-17.1, 53.1-231.2, 54.1-2903, 54.1-3401, 54.1-3443, 58.1-301, and 59.1-200 of the Code of Virginia; to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Subtitle II of Title 2.2 a part labeled D, containing a chapter numbered 61, consisting of a section numbered 2.2-6100, by adding in Chapter 6 of Title 4.1 sections numbered 4.1-629 and 4.1-630, by adding in Title 4.1 chapters numbered 7 through 10, consisting of sections numbered 4.1-700 through 4.1-1010, by adding sections numbered 4.1-1102 through 4.1-1105, 4.1-1106, 4.1-1106.1, 4.1-1113, 4.1-1114, 4.1-1115, 4.1-1117, 4.1-1118, and 4.1-1119, by adding in Title 4.1 a chapter numbered 12, consisting of sections numbered 4.1-1200 through 4.1-1206, by adding in Chapter 13 of Title 4.1 sections numbered 4.1-1300, 4.1-1301, and 4.1-1303 through 4.1-1309, by adding in Chapter 14 of Title 4.1 sections numbered 4.1-1403 through 4.1-1407, by adding a section numbered 4.1-1602.1, by adding in Title 4.1 a chapter numbered 17, consisting of sections numbered 4.1-1700 through 4.1-1705, by adding in Article 2 of Chapter 1 of Title 6.2 a section numbered 6.2-108, and by adding in Chapter 44 of Title 54.1 a section numbered 54.1-4426; and to repeal Article 4 (§§ 3.2-4122 through 3.2-4126) of Chapter 41.1 of Title 3.2 and §§ 3.2-5145.4:1, 4.1-1101.1, 4.1-1105.1, 18.2-248.1, and 18.2-251.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to cannabis control; retail market; penalties.

Agriculture Crime
Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
Aird
Last action
2026-05-19
Official status
Governor's Veto
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill's veto by the Governor means it did not become law and its full implementation details are uncertain.

Cannabis Control Act

This act sets up rules for selling marijuana in stores starting January 1, 2027, and creates penalties for breaking these rules.

What This Bill Does

  • Establishes a new agency called the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority to oversee the sale of marijuana.
  • Prohibits any retail sales before January 1, 2027.
  • Moves oversight of certain hemp products from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People who want to sell marijuana legally starting in 2027.
  • Government agencies involved in regulating and enforcing cannabis control rules.

Terms To Know

Cannabis Control Authority
A new agency that will manage the legal sale of marijuana products.
Retail market
The system where people can buy and sell goods directly to customers.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill was vetoed by the Governor, so it did not become law.
  • It does not specify how much money will be available for enforcement or testing of marijuana products.
  • Other states' experiences with similar laws were not fully considered in this legislation.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

SB542AC

2026-03-13 • Conference

Conference Report

Plain English: JOINT CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT We, the conferees, appointed by the respective bodies to consider and report upon the disagreeing vote on Senate Bill No.

  • JOINT CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT We, the conferees, appointed by the respective bodies to consider and report upon the disagreeing vote on Senate Bill No.
  • 542 , report as follows: A.
  • We recommend that the House Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute (26108819D) be rejected.
  • B.
SB542AG

2026-04-13 • Governor

Governor's Recommendation

Plain English: (SB542) GOVERNOR'S RECOMMENDATION I approve the general purpose of this bill, but I am returning it without my signature with the request that the attached Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute (26110453D) be accepted.

  • (SB542) GOVERNOR'S RECOMMENDATION I approve the general purpose of this bill, but I am returning it without my signature with the request that the attached Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute (26110453D) be accepted.
SB542ASC1

2026-02-04 • Committee

Courts of Justice Amendment

Plain English: OFFERED FOR CONSIDERATION 2/04/2026 SB 542 [§ 4.1-1103 (Illegal sale, etc.) - match the penalties of § 4.1-302 ] COURTS OF JUSTICE 1.

  • OFFERED FOR CONSIDERATION 2/04/2026 SB 542 [§ 4.1-1103 (Illegal sale, etc.) - match the penalties of § 4.1-302 ] COURTS OF JUSTICE 1.
  • Line 3031, substitute, after Class strike 2 insert 1 COURTS OF JUSTICE 2.
  • At the beginning of line 3032, substitute, strike A insert In the event of a COURTS OF JUSTICE 3.
  • Line 3032, substitute, after section strike the remainder of line 3032 insert , a jail sentence of no less than thirty days shall be imposed and in no case be suspended.
SB542S4

2026-03-13 • Conference

Conference Report Substitute

Plain English: 2026 SESSION SENATE SUBSTITUTE 26109722D SENATE BILL NO.

  • 2026 SESSION SENATE SUBSTITUTE 26109722D SENATE BILL NO.
  • 542 AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE (Proposed by the Joint Conference Committee on March 13, 2026) (Patrons Prior to Substitute—Senators Aird, Rouse [SB 671], and Lucas [SB 826]) A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-2499.8 , 2.2-2818 , 2.2-2905 , 2.2-3114 , 2.2-3711 , as it is currently effective and as it shall become effective, 2.2-3802 , 2.2-4024 , 3.2-4112 , 3.2-4113 , 3.2-4116 , 3.2-4126 , 3.2-5145.1 , 3.2-5145.2:1 , 3.2-5145.4 , 4.1-103 , 4.1-105 , 4.1-352 , 4.1-600 , 4.1-601 , 4.1-603 , 4.1-604 , 4.1-606 , 4.1-607 , 4.1-611 , 4.1-614 , 4.1-621 , 4.1-1100 , 4.1-1101 , 4.1-1121 , 4.1-1402 , 4.1-1500 , 4.1-1501 , 4.1-1502 , 4.1-1600 through 4.1-1603.2 , 4.1-1604 , 5.1-13 , 9.1-1101 , 15.2-912.4 , 16.1-69.40:1 , 16.1-260 , 16.1-273 , 16.1-278.9 , 18.2-46.1 , 18.2-247 , 18.2-248 , 18.2-248.01 , 18.2-251 , 18.2-251.03 , 18.2-251.1:1 , 18.2-251.1:2 , 18.2-251.1:3 , 18.2-252 , 18.2-254 , 18.2-255 , 18.2-255.1 , 18.2-255.2 , 18.2-258 , 18.2-258.02 , 18.2-258.1 , 18.2-265.1 , 18.2-265.2 , 18.2-265.3 , 18.2-287.2 , 18.2-308.012 , 18.2-308.4 , 18.2-371.2 , 18.2-460 , 18.2-474.1 , 19.2-66 , 19.2-81 , 19.2-81.1 , 19.2-83.1 , 19.2-188.1 , 19.2-303.01 , 19.2-386.22 through 19.2-386.25 , 19.2-389 , as it is currently effective and as it shall become effective, 19.2-389.3 , 19.2-392.02 , 19.2-392.6 and 19.2-392.12:1 , as they shall become effective, 22.1-206 , 22.1-277.08 , 23.1-1301 , 46.2-105.2 , 46.2-347 , 48-17.1 , 53.1-231.2 , 54.1-2903 , 54.1-3401 , 54.1-3443 , 58.1-301 , and 59.1-200 of the Code of Virginia; to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Subtitle II of Title 2.2 a part labeled D, containing a chapter numbered 61, consisting of a section numbered 2.2-6100 , by adding in Chapter 6 of Title 4.1 sections numbered 4.1-629 and 4.1-630 , by adding in Title 4.1 chapters numbered 7 through 10, consisting of sections numbered 4.1-700 through 4.1-1010 , by adding sections numbered 4.1-1102 through 4.1-1105 , 4.1-1106 , 4.1-1113 , 4.1-1114 , 4.1-1115 , 4.1-1117 , 4.1-1118 , and 4.1-1119 , by adding in Title 4.1 a chapter numbered 12, consisting of sections numbered 4.1-1200 through 4.1-1206 , by adding in Chapter 13 of Title 4.1 sections numbered 4.1-1300 , 4.1-1301 , and 4.1-1303 through 4.1-1309 , by adding in Chapter 14 of Title 4.1 sections numbered 4.1-1403 through 4.1-1407 , by adding a section numbered 4.1-1602.1 , by adding in Title 4.1 a chapter numbered 17, consisting of sections numbered 4.1-1700 through 4.1-1705 , by adding in Article 2 of Chapter 1 of Title 6.2 a section numbered 6.2-108 , and by adding in Chapter 44 of Title 54.1 a section numbered 54.1-4426 ; and to repeal Article 4 (§§ 3.2-4122 through 3.2-4126 ) of Chapter 41.1 of Title 3.2 and §§ 3.2-5145.4:1 , 4.1-1101.1 , 4.1-1105.1 , 18.2-248.1 , and 18.2-251.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to cannabis control; retail market; penalties.
  • Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia: 1.
  • That §§ 2.2-2499.8 , 2.2-2818 , 2.2-2905 , 2.2-3114 , 2.2-3711 , as it is currently effective and as it shall become effective, 2.2-3802 , 2.2-4024 , 3.2-4112 , 3.2-4113 , 3.2-4116 , 3.2-4126 , 3.2-5145.1 , 3.2-5145.2:1 , 3.2-5145.4 , 4.1-103 , 4.1-105 , 4.1-352 , 4.1-600 , 4.1-601 , 4.1-603 , 4.1-604 , 4.1-606 , 4.1-607 , 4.1-611 , 4.1-614 , 4.1-621 , 4.1-1100 , 4.1-1101 , 4.1-1121 , 4.1-1402 , 4.1-1500 , 4.1-1501 , 4.1-1502 , 4.1-1600 through 4.1-1603.2 , 4.1-1604 , 5.1-13 , 9.1-1101 , 15.2-912.4 , 16.1-69.40:1 , 16.1-260 , 16.1-273 , 16.1-278.9 , 18.2-46.1 , 18.2-247 , 18.2-248 , 18.2-248.01 , 18.2-251 , 18.2-251.03 , 18.2-251.1:1 , 18.2-251.1:2 , 18.2-251.1:3 , 18.2-252 , 18.2-254 , 18.2-255 , 18.2-255.1 , 18.2-255.2 , 18.2-258 , 18.2-258.02 , 18.2-258.1 , 18.2-265.1 , 18.2-265.2 , 18.2-265.3 , 18.2-287.2 , 18.2-308.012 , 18.2-308.4 , 18.2-371.2 , 18.2-460 , 18.2-474.1 , 19.2-66 , 19.2-81 , 19.2-81.1 , 19.2-83.1 , 19.2-188.1 , 19.2-303.01 , 19.2-386.22 through 19.2-386.25 , 19.2-389 , as it is currently effective and as it shall become effective, 19.2-389.3 , 19.2-392.02 , 19.2-392.6 and 19.2-392.12:1 as they shall become effective, 22.1-206 , 22.1-277.08 , 23.1-1301 , 46.2-105.2 , 46.2-347 , 48-17.1 , 53.1-231.2 , 54.1-2903 , 54.1-3401 , 54.1-3443 , 58.1-301 , and 59.1-200 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted and that the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Subtitle II of Title 2.2 a part labeled D, containing a chapter numbered 61, consisting of a section numbered 2.2-6100 , by adding in Chapter 6 of Title 4.1 sections numbered 4.1-629 and 4.1-630 , by adding in Title 4.1 chapters numbered 7 through 10, consisting of sections numbered 4.1-700 through 4.1-1010 , by adding sections numbered 4.1-1102 through 4.1-1105 , 4.1-1106 , 4.1-1113 , 4.1-1114 , 4.1-1115 , 4.1-1117 , 4.1-1118 , and 4.1-1119 , by adding in Title 4.1 a chapter numbered 12, consisting of sections numbered 4.1-1200 through 4.1-1206 , by adding in Chapter 13 of Title 4.1 sections numbered 4.1-1300 , 4.1-1301 , and 4.1-1303 through 4.1-1309 , by adding in Chapter 14 of Title 4.1 sections numbered 4.1-1403 through 4.1-1407 , by adding a section numbered 4.1-1602.1 , by adding in Title 4.1 a chapter numbered 17, consisting of sections numbered 4.1-1700 through 4.1-1705 , by adding in Article 2 of Chapter 1 of Title 6.2 a section numbered 6.2-108 , and by adding in Chapter 44 of Title 54.1 a section numbered 54.1-4426 as follows: § 2.2-2499.8 .
SB542S5

2026-04-14 • Governor

Governor Substitute

Plain English: 2026 SESSION SENATE SUBSTITUTE REPRINT 26110453D SENATE BILL NO.

  • 2026 SESSION SENATE SUBSTITUTE REPRINT 26110453D SENATE BILL NO.
  • 542 AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE (Proposed by the Governor on April 13, 2026) (Patrons Prior to Substitute—Senators Aird, Rouse [SB 671], and Lucas [SB 826]) A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-2818 , 2.2-2905 , 2.2-3114 , 2.2-3711 , as it is currently effective and as it shall become effective, 2.2-3802 , 2.2-4024 , 3.2-4112 , 3.2-4113 , 3.2-4116 , 3.2-4126 , 3.2-5145.1 , 3.2-5145.2:1 , 3.2-5145.4 , 4.1-103 , 4.1-352 , 4.1-600 , 4.1-601 , 4.1-603 , 4.1-604 , 4.1-606 , 4.1-607 , 4.1-614 , 4.1-621 , 4.1-1100 , 4.1-1101 , 4.1-1108 , 4.1-1121 , 4.1-1402 , 4.1-1500 , 4.1-1501 , 4.1-1502 , 4.1-1600 through 4.1-1603.2 , 4.1-1604 , 5.1-13 , 9.1-1101 , 15.2-912.4 , 16.1-69.40:1 , 16.1-260 , 16.1-273 , 16.1-278.9 , 18.2-46.1 , 18.2-247 , 18.2-248 , 18.2-248.01 , 18.2-251 , 18.2-251.03 , 18.2-251.1:1 , 18.2-251.1:2 , 18.2-251.1:3 , 18.2-252 , 18.2-254 , 18.2-255 , 18.2-255.1 , 18.2-255.2 , 18.2-258 , 18.2-258.02 , 18.2-258.1 , 18.2-265.1 , 18.2-265.2 , 18.2-265.3 , 18.2-287.2 , 18.2-308.012 , 18.2-371.2 , 18.2-460 , 18.2-474.1 , 19.2-66 , 19.2-81 , 19.2-81.1 , 19.2-83.1 , 19.2-188.1 , 19.2-303.01 , 19.2-386.22 through 19.2-386.25 , 19.2-389 , as it is currently effective and as it shall become effective, 19.2-389.3 , 19.2-392.02 , 19.2-392.6 and 19.2-392.12:1 , as they shall become effective, 22.1-206 , 22.1-277.08 , 23.1-1301 , 46.2-105.2 , 46.2-347 , 48-17.1 , 53.1-231.2 , 54.1-2903 , 54.1-3401 , 54.1-3443 , 58.1-301 , and 59.1-200 of the Code of Virginia; to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 6 of Title 4.1 sections numbered 4.1-629 and 4.1-630 , by adding in Title 4.1 a chapter numbered 7, consisting of sections numbered 4.1-700 and 4.1-701 , by adding in Title 4.1 a chapter numbered 10, consisting of sections 4.1-1000 through 4.1-1007 , by adding sections numbered 4.1-1102 through 4.1-1105 , 4.1-1106 , 4.1-1106.1 , 4.1-1111 , 4.1-1113 , 4.1-1114 , 4.1-1115 , 4.1-1117 , 4.1-1118 , and 4.1-1119 , by adding in Title 4.1 a chapter numbered 12, consisting of sections numbered 4.1-1200 through 4.1-1206 , by adding in Chapter 13 of Title 4.1 sections numbered 4.1-1300 , 4.1-1301 , and 4.1-1303 through 4.1-1309 , by adding a section numbered 4.1-1602.1 , by adding in Title 4.1 a chapter numbered 17, consisting of sections numbered 4.1-1700 through 4.1-1704 , by adding in Article 2 of Chapter 1 of Title 6.2 a section numbered 6.2-108 , and by adding in Chapter 44 of Title 54.1 a section numbered 54.1-4426 ; and to repeal Article 4 (§§ 3.2-4122 through 3.2-4126 ) of Chapter 41.1 of Title 3.2 and §§ 3.2-5145.4:1 , 4.1-611 , 4.1-1101.1 , 4.1-1105.1 , 18.2-248.1 , and 18.2-251.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to cannabis control; retail market; penalties.
  • Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia: 1.
  • That §§ 2.2-2818 , 2.2-2905 , 2.2-3114 , 2.2-3711 , as it is currently effective and as it shall become effective, 2.2-3802 , 2.2-4024 , 3.2-4112 , 3.2-4113 , 3.2-4116 , 3.2-4126 , 3.2-5145.1 , 3.2-5145.2:1 , 3.2-5145.4 , 4.1-103 , 4.1-352 , 4.1-600 , 4.1-601 , 4.1-603 , 4.1-604 , 4.1-606 , 4.1-607 , 4.1-614 , 4.1-621 , 4.1-1100 , 4.1-1101 , 4.1-1108 , 4.1-1121 , 4.1-1402 , 4.1-1500 , 4.1-1501 , 4.1-1502 , 4.1-1600 through 4.1-1603.2 , 4.1-1604 , 5.1-13 , 9.1-1101 , 15.2-912.4 , 16.1-69.40:1 , 16.1-260 , 16.1-273 , 16.1-278.9 , 18.2-46.1 , 18.2-247 , 18.2-248 , 18.2-248.01 , 18.2-251 , 18.2-251.03 , 18.2-251.1:1 , 18.2-251.1:2 , 18.2-251.1:3 , 18.2-252 , 18.2-254 , 18.2-255 , 18.2-255.1 , 18.2-255.2 , 18.2-258 , 18.2-258.02 , 18.2-258.1 , 18.2-265.1 , 18.2-265.2 , 18.2-265.3 , 18.2-287.2 , 18.2-308.012 , 18.2-371.2 , 18.2-460 , 18.2-474.1 , 19.2-66 , 19.2-81 , 19.2-81.1 , 19.2-83.1 , 19.2-188.1 , 19.2-303.01 , 19.2-386.22 through 19.2-386.25 , 19.2-389 , as it is currently effective and as it shall become effective, 19.2-389.3 , 19.2-392.02 , 19.2-392.6 and 19.2-392.12:1 , as they shall become effective, 22.1-206 , 22.1-277.08 , 23.1-1301 , 46.2-105.2 , 46.2-347 , 48-17.1 , 53.1-231.2 , 54.1-2903 , 54.1-3401 , 54.1-3443 , 58.1-301 , and 59.1-200 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted and that the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Chapter 6 of Title 4.1 sections numbered 4.1-629 and 4.1-630 , by adding in Title 4.1 a chapter numbered 7, consisting of sections numbered 4.1-700 and 4.1-701 , by adding in Title 4.1 a chapter numbered 10, consisting of sections 4.1-1000 through 4.1-1007 , by adding sections numbered 4.1-1102 through 4.1-1105 , 4.1-1106 , 4.1-1106.1 , 4.1-1111 , 4.1-1113 , 4.1-1114 , 4.1-1115 , 4.1-1117 , 4.1-1118 , and 4.1-1119 , by adding in Title 4.1 a chapter numbered 12, consisting of sections numbered 4.1-1200 through 4.1-1206 , by adding in Chapter 13 of Title 4.1 sections numbered 4.1-1300 , 4.1-1301 , and 4.1-1303 through 4.1-1309 , by adding a section numbered 4.1-1602.1 , by adding in Title 4.1 a chapter numbered 17, consisting of sections numbered 4.1-1700 through 4.1-1704 , by adding in Article 2 of Chapter 1 of Title 6.2 a section numbered 6.2-108 , and by adding in Chapter 44 of Title 54.1 a section numbered 54.1-4426 as follows: § 2.2-2818 .

Bill History

  1. 2026-05-19 Senate

    Governor's Veto Received by Senate

  2. 2026-05-19 Governor

    Vetoed by Governor

  3. 2026-04-22 Senate

    Passed by for the day

  4. 2026-04-22 Senate

    Communicated to Governor

  5. 2026-04-22 Governor

    Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., May 23, 2026

  6. 2026-04-22 Senate

    Passed by for the day Block Vote (21-Y 18-N 0-A)

  7. 2026-04-14 Senate

    Substitute bill reprinted 26110453D

  8. 2026-04-14 Senate

    Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (4/14/2026 4:24 pm)

  9. 2026-04-13 Governor

    Governor's recommendation received by Senate

  10. 2026-04-13 Senate

    Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB542)

  11. 2026-03-31 Senate

    Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026

  12. 2026-03-31 Governor

    Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

  13. 2026-03-31 House

    Signed by Speaker

  14. 2026-03-31 Senate

    Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026

  15. 2026-03-31 Governor

    Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

  16. 2026-03-30 Senate

    Signed by President

  17. 2026-03-30 Senate

    Enrolled

  18. 2026-03-30 Senate

    Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB542ER)

  19. 2026-03-14 House

    Conference report agreed to by House (64-Y 32-N 0-A)

  20. 2026-03-13 Conference

    Conference Report released

  21. 2026-03-13 Senate

    Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (3/13/2026 7:32 pm)

  22. 2026-03-13 Senate

    Conference report agreed to by Senate (21-Y 18-N 0-A)

  23. 2026-03-09 Senate

    Conferees appointed by Senate

  24. 2026-03-04 Senate

    Conferees appointed by Senate

  25. 2026-03-04 Senate

    Conferees appointed by Senate

  26. 2026-03-04 Senate

    Senate Conferees: Aird, VanValkenburg, Rouse, Head

  27. 2026-03-04 Senate

    Senate Conferees: Aird, VanValkenburg, Rouse, Head, Lucas

  28. 2026-03-04 House

    Read third time

  29. 2026-03-04 House

    committee substitute rejected

  30. 2026-03-04 House

    committee substitute agreed to

  31. 2026-03-04 House

    Engrossed by House - committee substitute

  32. 2026-03-04 House

    Passed House with substitute (66-Y 33-N 0-A)

  33. 2026-03-04 Senate

    House substitute rejected by Senate (0-Y 40-N 0-A)

  34. 2026-03-04 House

    House insisted on substitute

  35. 2026-03-04 House

    House requested conference committee

  36. 2026-03-04 Senate

    Senate acceded to request Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

  37. 2026-03-04 House

    Conferees appointed by House

  38. 2026-03-04 House

    House Conferees: Krizek, Herring, Morefield

  39. 2026-03-03 House

    Read second time

  40. 2026-02-27 Appropriations

    Reported from Appropriations with substitute (16-Y 6-N)

  41. 2026-02-27 Appropriations

    Committee substitute printed 26108819D-H2

  42. 2026-02-27 Appropriations

    Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (2/27/2026 3:37 pm)

  43. 2026-02-25 Transportation & Public Safety

    Assigned HAPP sub: Transportation & Public Safety

  44. 2026-02-25 General Laws

    Committee substitute printed 26108519D-H1

  45. 2026-02-25 General Laws

    Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (2/25/2026 1:08 pm)

  46. 2026-02-24 Finance and Appropriations

    Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB542)

  47. 2026-02-24 General Laws

    Reported from General Laws with substitute and referred to Appropriations (16-Y 4-N)

  48. 2026-02-24 House

    House committee offered

  49. 2026-02-23 House

    Placed on Calendar

  50. 2026-02-23 House

    Read first time

  51. 2026-02-23 General Laws

    Referred to Committee on General Laws

  52. 2026-02-17 Finance and Appropriations

    Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (2/17/2026 8:52 am)

  53. 2026-02-17 Finance and Appropriations

    Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB542)

  54. 2026-02-17 Finance and Appropriations

    Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB542)

  55. 2026-02-17 Finance and Appropriations

    Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB542)

  56. 2026-02-17 Senate

    Read third time and passed Senate (20-Y 19-N 1-A)

  57. 2026-02-17 Senate

    Reconsideration of passage agreed to by Senate (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

  58. 2026-02-17 Senate

    Read third time and passed Senate (21-Y 19-N 0-A)

  59. 2026-02-16 Senate

    Read second time

  60. 2026-02-16 Senate

    Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute (Voice Vote)

  61. 2026-02-16 Rehabilitation and Social Services

    Committee substitute rejected (Voice Vote)

  62. 2026-02-16 Courts of Justice

    Committee substitute rejected (Voice Vote)

  63. 2026-02-16 Finance and Appropriations

    Committee substitute agreed to (Voice Vote)

  64. 2026-02-16 Senate

    Engrossed by Senate (Voice Vote)

  65. 2026-02-13 Senate

    Rules suspended

  66. 2026-02-13 Senate

    Passed by for the day

  67. 2026-02-13 Senate

    Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (35-Y 0-N 0-A)

  68. 2026-02-13 Finance and Appropriations

    Committee substitute printed 26107979D-S3

  69. 2026-02-13 Finance and Appropriations

    Substitute bill reprinted 26107979D

  70. 2026-02-12 Finance and Appropriations

    Reported from Finance and Appropriations with substitute (7-Y 5-N 3-A)

  71. 2026-02-12 Senate

    Incorporates SB826 (Lucas)

  72. 2026-02-09 Rehabilitation and Social Services

    Committee substitute printed 26106071D-S1

  73. 2026-02-06 Courts of Justice

    Committee substitute printed 26107341D-S2

  74. 2026-02-06 Courts of Justice

    Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (2/6/2026 2:10 pm)

  75. 2026-02-05 Senate

    Senate committee offered

  76. 2026-02-04 Courts of Justice

    Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (9-Y 6-N)

  77. 2026-02-04 Senate

    Senate committee offered

  78. 2026-02-04 Courts of Justice

    Senate committee amendments offered

  79. 2026-01-23 Senate

    Incorporates SB671 (Rouse)

  80. 2026-01-23 Rehabilitation and Social Services

    Reported from Rehabilitation and Social Services with substitute and rereferred to Courts of Justice (8-Y 7-N)

  81. 2026-01-23 Rehabilitation and Social Services

    Senate committee offered

  82. 2026-01-23 Senate

    Senate committee offered

  83. 2026-01-23 Rehabilitation and Social Services

    Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (1/23/2026 4:45 pm)

  84. 2026-01-20 Senate

    Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (1/20/2026 1:49 pm)

  85. 2026-01-13 Senate

    Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26104073D

  86. 2026-01-13 Rehabilitation and Social Services

    Referred to Committee on Rehabilitation and Social Services

Official Summary Text

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 provides that no retail sales may occur prior to January 1, 2027. Effective January 1, 2027, the bill also moves oversight of the retail sale of certain regulated hemp products from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority. This bill incorporates SB 671 and SB 826 and is identical to HB 642.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
(SB542)
GOVERNOR'S VETO
Pursuant to Article V, Section 6, of the Constitution of Virginia, I veto Senate Bill 542, which would set up a retail marketplace for cannabis products in the Commonwealth of Virginia without the timeline, structure, or resources to be successfully implemented.
I share the General Assembly's goal of establishing a safe, legal, and well-regulated cannabis retail marketplace in the Commonwealth. Virginians deserve a system that replaces the illicit cannabis market with one that prioritizes our children's health and safety, public safety, product integrity, and accountability.
As Virginia pursues a legal retail market, it is critical that we incorporate lessons learned by other states and ensure that our regulatory framework is fully prepared to provide strong oversight from day one. That includes clear enforcement authority and sufficient resources for compliance, testing, and inspections, and robust tools to crack down on bad actors who continue to profit from the illicit market.
I greatly appreciate the patrons' time crafting this important piece of legislation as well as our continued dialogue and collaboration to strengthen this framework ahead of the next legislative session. I remain committed to working with members of the General Assembly, stakeholders, and law enforcement to get this right.
Accordingly, I veto this bill.