VirginiaSB9702025 Regular SessionSenate

Cannabis control; establishes framework for creating retail market, penalties.

Sponsored By: Aaron R. Rouse (Democratic)

To Governor

Summary

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 allows the Authority to begin issuing all marijuana licenses on September 1, 2025, but provides that no retail sales may occur prior to May 1, 2026. This bill is identical to HB 2485.

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Bill Overview

No Economic Impacts Identified for this Bill

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Aaron R. Rouse

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 143 • No: 83

House vote • 2/12/2025

Passed House

Yes: 53 • No: 44

House vote • 2/6/2025

Reported from General Laws

Yes: 13 • No: 8

Senate vote • 1/31/2025

Read third time and passed Senate

Yes: 21 • No: 19

Senate vote • 1/29/2025

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading)

Yes: 38 • No: 0

Senate vote • 1/28/2025

Reported from Finance and Appropriations

Yes: 10 • No: 5

Senate vote • 1/17/2025

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

Yes: 8 • No: 7

Actions Timeline

  1. Senate sustained Governor's veto

    4/2/2025Senate
  2. Passed by for the day

    4/2/2025Senate
  3. Vetoed by Governor

    3/24/2025Governor
  4. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB970)

    3/14/2025Senate
  5. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., March 24, 2025

    3/11/2025Governor
  6. Enrolled Bill Communicated to Governor on March 11, 2025

    3/11/2025Senate
  7. Signed by President

    3/10/2025Senate
  8. Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB970ER)

    3/7/2025Senate
  9. Enrolled

    3/7/2025Senate
  10. Signed by Speaker

    3/7/2025House
  11. Passed House (53-Y 44-N)

    2/12/2025House
  12. Read third time

    2/12/2025House
  13. Passed by for the day

    2/11/2025House
  14. Read second time

    2/10/2025House
  15. Reported from General Laws (13-Y 8-N)

    2/6/2025House
  16. Referred to Committee on General Laws

    2/6/2025House
  17. Read first time

    2/6/2025House
  18. Placed on Calendar

    2/6/2025House
  19. Read third time and passed Senate (21-Y 19-N)

    1/31/2025Senate
  20. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB970)

    1/30/2025Senate
  21. Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute

    1/30/2025Senate
  22. Rehabilitation and Social Services Substitute agreed to

    1/30/2025Senate
  23. Reading of substitute waived

    1/30/2025Senate
  24. Read second time

    1/30/2025Senate
  25. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (38-Y 0-N)

    1/29/2025Senate

Bill Text

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