VirginiaSB5432026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Marijuana and hemp products; enforcement.

Sponsored By: Lashrecse D. Aird (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Marijuana and hemp products; enforcement. Amends various provisions of law to increase enforcement and penalties related to the illegal sale of marijuana or marijuana products by persons licensed by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority, and the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority (CCA). The bill also requires the Board of Directors of the CCA to create and require a decal for retail marijuana store licensees to prominently display on the premises of such store that allows consumers to electronically verify the validity of such store's license from the Board. The bill requires such decal to be displayed by licensees, with a civil penalty of $10,000 for each day that such decal is not displayed in the establishment. The bill also creates a $10,000 civil penalty for creating or falsifying such decal. The bill allows the Board to issue a notice of violation and order to cease unlicensed activity to any person who is engaged in the cultivation, processing, distribution, or selling of marijuana or marijuana products in violation of current law, and if the Board issues such notice and order, it may also order the seizure of such marijuana or marijuana products. Any person who intentionally removes such notice and order or sticker without authorization of the Board is subject to a civil penalty prescribed by the Board, not to exceed $5,000. The bill also specifies that the Chief Executive Officer of the Board or investigators appointed by him shall be sworn to enforce the provisions of the Cannabis Control Act and Board regulations and have the authority to investigate violations of the statutes and regulations the CCA is required to enforce. The bill also revises certain provisions related the assessment of civil penalties against manufacturers and sellers of certain industrial hemp extracts and foods containing industrial hemp extracts and makes it a prohibited practice under the Virginia Consumer Protection Act to sell or offer for sale a substance intended for human consumption, orally or by inhalation, that (i) contains more than 0.3 percent total tetrahydrocannabinol or (ii) contains more than two milligrams of total tetrahydrocannabinol per package. Additionally, the bill requires the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security and the Secretary of Health and Human Resources to convene a work group to analyze the current efforts in the Commonwealth to combat the sale of illicit cannabis products and submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the Chairs of the House Committees on Appropriations, on General Laws, and for Courts of Justice and the Senate Committees on Finance and Appropriations, on General Laws and Technology, on Rehabilitation and Social Services, and for Courts of Justice by October 1, 2026.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

9 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 5 costs, 0 mixed.

High‑THC products banned with heavy fines

Beginning November 1, 2026, it is unlawful to sell products for human consumption with total THC over 0.3% or over 2 mg THC per package in violation of state limits. These sales also count as false claims. Civil penalties range from $10,957 to $21,916 per violation, plus three times the damages and attorney fees.

Display the cannabis license decal or pay

Anyone selling or marketing marijuana products must prominently display the Board’s decal. The decal includes a QR code so customers can verify the license. Missing the decal costs $10,000 for each day it is not displayed. Making or showing a fake decal costs $10,000 per fake decal plus $10,000 for each day it is displayed.

Permits and tough penalties for hemp sellers

Hemp extract makers and sellers must hold the required permit and retail registration. Selling without them, selling after suspension, or selling products over THC limits (over 0.3% total THC or over 2 mg THC per package without a CBD:THC ratio of at least 25:1) faces civil fines up to $10,000 per day. Certain offenses are Class 1 misdemeanors, and each day counts as a separate offense. The Commissioner can deny, suspend, or revoke hemp grower, handler, processor, or retail registrations for serious or repeated violations. Three negligent violations in five years trigger a five‑year ban from hemp work; negligent mistakes can lead to a corrective action plan instead. FDA‑approved and properly dispensed products are exempt from the hemp‑extract permit and penalty rules.

Stronger crackdowns on unlicensed cannabis sales

The Board can order unlicensed sellers to stop and seize marijuana products. Removing posted notices can cost up to $5,000. Localities must revoke a local business license for repeated illegal cannabis sales or marketing without the required decal. The alcohol board must suspend or revoke an alcohol license for repeated cannabis rulebreaking on the premises (breweries may face other penalties). Authority investigators can issue summonses, seek warrants, and enforce these rules.

Equity help for small cannabis businesses

The Authority creates a Cannabis Social Equity Liaison and a support team. They set diversity and inclusion plan rules, study barriers for small, women‑, minority‑, and veteran‑owned firms, and offer business planning help. They also do outreach in areas hit hardest to help people apply for licenses.

Fix‑it window for hemp label errors

For a first labeling‑only violation, the Commissioner must give written notice and at least 15 business days to fix it. If you correct it in time and THC limits are not exceeded, no civil penalty applies for that first violation. If the manufacturer controls the labeling, the state notifies them, and the retailer is not fined for a first violation unless the retailer knew and kept selling after written notice. For technical violations, fines cannot be multiplied by counting every item inside a package or identical packages.

Employee training and health warnings in stores

The Board provides an online course so store employees can explain marijuana risks to customers. The Board also creates a pamphlet on risks that must be shown and available in stores. A health professional now staffs the Cannabis Public Health Advisory Council to coordinate with state health agencies.

State task force on illicit cannabis

Senior state officials convene a work group to study illicit cannabis sales and child safety. The group must report findings and enforcement recommendations by October 1, 2026.

New police training deadlines and standards

The Department of Criminal Justice Services must set required minimum and in‑service training standards by January 1, 2027. Officers employed before July 1, 2026 must finish the in‑service training by July 1, 2028.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Lashrecse D. Aird

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 394 • No: 189

House vote 4/22/2026

House concurred in Governor's recommendation

Yes: 65 • No: 33

Senate vote 4/22/2026

Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation

Yes: 21 • No: 18

Senate vote 3/14/2026

Conference report agreed to by Senate

Yes: 22 • No: 17

House vote 3/14/2026

Conference report agreed to by House

Yes: 65 • No: 30

Senate vote 3/12/2026

Senate acceded to request Block Vote

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/10/2026

General Laws Amendment rejected by Senate

Yes: 1 • No: 39

House vote 3/6/2026

Passed House with amendment

Yes: 66 • No: 32

House vote 3/3/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s)

Yes: 8 • No: 1

House vote 3/3/2026

Reported from General Laws with amendment(s)

Yes: 17 • No: 4

Senate vote 2/17/2026

Read third time and passed Senate

Yes: 26 • No: 14

Senate vote 2/16/2026

Finance and Appropriations Substitute agreed to

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/13/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading)

Yes: 35 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/12/2026

Reported from Finance and Appropriations with substitute

Yes: 13 • No: 1 • Other: 1

Senate vote 1/23/2026

Reported from Rehabilitation and Social Services and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations

Yes: 15 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. House concurred in Governor's recommendation (65-Y 33-N 0-A)

    4/22/2026House
  2. Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (21-Y 18-N 0-A)

    4/22/2026Senate
  3. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1016)

    4/22/2026Governor
  4. Reenrolled bill text (SB543ER2)

    4/22/2026Senate
  5. Reenrolled

    4/22/2026Senate
  6. Approved by Governor-Chapter 1016 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/22/2026Governor
  7. Signed by President

    4/22/2026Senate
  8. Signed by Speaker

    4/22/2026House
  9. Governor's recommendation adopted

    4/22/2026Governor
  10. Governor's recommendation received by Senate

    4/13/2026Governor
  11. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB543)

    4/3/2026Senate
  12. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    3/31/2026Governor
  13. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026

    3/31/2026Senate
  14. Signed by Speaker

    3/31/2026House
  15. Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB543ER)

    3/30/2026Senate
  16. Enrolled

    3/30/2026Senate
  17. Signed by President

    3/30/2026Senate
  18. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB543)

    3/24/2026Senate
  19. Conference report agreed to by Senate (22-Y 17-N 0-A)

    3/14/2026Senate
  20. Conference report agreed to by House (65-Y 30-N 0-A)

    3/14/2026House
  21. Conference Report released

    3/14/2026
  22. House Conferees: Krizek, Torian, Wiley

    3/12/2026House
  23. Conferees appointed by House

    3/12/2026House
  24. Senate acceded to request Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/12/2026Senate
  25. Conferees appointed by Senate

    3/12/2026Senate

Bill Text

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