Gov. Glenn Youngkin has once again thwarted a bipartisan effort to establish a regulated and taxed adult-use cannabis retail market in Virginia, vetoing a key proposal that would have created the framework for such a system. He also rejected measures designed to modify sentences for individuals convicted of marijuana-related offenses and protect legal cannabis users from discrimination in child custody battles.
Youngkin’s vetoes dealt another blow to cannabis reform advocates, who argue that the governor’s opposition to these measures continues to favor the status quo of unregulated marijuana sales. Cannabis is legal in Virginia for personal use, but the state still lacks a retail system that would allow legal, regulated and taxed sales.
The centerpiece of the vetoed legislation was House Bill 2485, sponsored by Del. Paul Krizek, D-Fairfax, who expressed disappointment over Youngkin’s second veto of a bill that he said would have not only generated millions of dollars for substance abuse treatment and law enforcement but also provided a safe, regulated market for cannabis.
Del. Paul Krizek, D-Fairfax, sponsored the cannabis retail legislation in the House. (Photo courtesy of Paul Krizek)
“It’s wrong to allow the criminals to keep making money in this illicit market while pushing dangerous products,” Krizek said in a phone interview Tuesday, adding that a regulated cannabis system could boost state revenue by $300 million annually.
“Virginians deserve a well-regulated and tested market that is taking into account the issues that the governor is concerned with, which is why cannabis regulation will be a key issue in the upcoming gubernatorial campaign.”
Krizek’s legislation, which is identical to Senate Bill 970, sponsored by Sen. Aaron Rouse, D-Virginia Beach, proposed a timeline for issuing licenses for marijuana cultivation, processing, distribution and retail. It also tasked the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority to oversee the new industry. Licenses could have been issued as early as September 2025, with the first retail sales expected no sooner than May 2026.
Virginia made history in 2021 as the first Southern state to legalize small-scale marijuana possession and home cultivation for adults. But while cannabis is legal for personal use, the state has never finalized a plan for commercial sales. With no legal retail market in place, an unregulated underground market has flourished, contributing to safety and health concerns.
Del. Chris Obenshain, R-Montgomery, a local prosecutor and one of the two Republicans in the House to support Krizek’s proposal, expressed his commitment to sensible cannabis regulation in Virginia. “I have been an advocate for common sense legislation to regulate the adult cannabis market in Virginia,” he said.
Obenshain acknowledged the bipartisan support the bill garnered this year but also noted that many colleagues still had genuine concerns.
“I’ll continue working in a bipartisan fashion until we find the right balance on legislation that can keep Virginians safe while also eliminating the confusing legal regime and proliferation of potentially dangerous products that currently exists,” he added.
Youngkin, who rejected a similar bipartisan measure last year, said in his veto statement that states following this path have seen “adverse effects on children’s and adolescents’ health and safety, increased gang activity and violent crime, significant deterioration in mental health, decreased road safety, and significant costs associated with retail marijuana that far exceed tax revenue.”
The governor further stated that a regulated, legal market place “does not eliminate the illegal black-market sale of cannabis, nor guarantee product safety.”
For advocates like Chelsea Higgs Wise, executive director of Marijuana Justice, Youngkin’s rejection is a major setback for public health in Virginia.
“We’re looking at at least another year before we are able to provide Virginia with a tested and regulated market, which would center Virginia’s public health for many consumers,” Wise said.
“Meanwhile, the underground market continues to expand, and federally legal, hemp-derived products flood the state, putting residents at risk. And now this governor this week has just sent a big message to Virginia consumers that our health is not a priority, that keeping our kids safe, keeping us safe, is not a priority for him.”
Justice for past offenders?
Another piece of legislation, HB 2555 by Del. Rozia Henson, D-Woodbridge, would have allowed individuals convicted of certain marijuana-related felonies before 2021 — when marijuana was legalized in Virginia — to receive automatic hearings for sentence modifications if they were still incarcerated or under supervision.
This bill would have applied to convictions for offenses like marijuana possession, manufacturing, or distribution committed before the state’s marijuana legalization laws took effect.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin took action on more than 900 pieces of legislation Monday. (Photo by Markus Schmidt/Virginia Mercury)
Youngkin vetoed the proposal, arguing that it “places an undue burden on courts, prosecutors, and victims,” and could allow sentence reductions for individuals convicted of serious crimes, such as fentanyl distribution or selling marijuana to minors. He further emphasized the importance of maintaining public safety and avoiding judicial complications in such cases.
Stephanie Shepard, director of advocacy for the Last Prisoner Project, expressed her frustration with the governor’s move.
“This veto ignores the families still suffering from prohibitionist laws repealed three years ago. Virginia ended cannabis prohibition in 2021, yet many remain incarcerated for offenses that are no longer crimes. This bill was a crucial step toward justice — one the governor has now denied.”
Wise echoed these sentiments, noting that the bill had already been modified to exclude individuals convicted of violent crimes.
“We did change the bill this year to remove people that had violent crimes associated with their sentencing,” she said. “Even with these adjustments, the governor still claims it would be too burdensome on the courts.”
Protecting parents’ rights
Finally, HB 2613, sponsored by Del. Nadarius Clark, D-Suffolk, would have ensured that parents’ legal use of cannabis — or other authorized substances—would not be used against them in custody or visitation determinations.
The bill sought to prevent investigations for child abuse or neglect solely based on lawful behavior, such as legal cannabis possession or prescribed medication use. It would have required local social services departments to update their policies to reflect these changes.
Youngkin’s veto statement echoed concerns about child safety, warning that the bill would “risk exposing children to harm.” He argued that legal marijuana use could lead to increased incidents of child endangerment, citing concerns over children ingesting cannabis-infused products.
For Wise, the bill’s veto was a missed opportunity for much-needed reform.
Chelsea Higgs Wise, executive director of Marijuana Justice. (Photo courtesy of Marijuana Justice)
“This is a technical fix that should have happened in 2021,” she said. “And it’s not just about marijuana; it’s about ensuring parents aren’t penalized for using authorized substances like methadone or prescription drugs.”
Despite Youngkin’s vetoes, which continue to highlight his resistance to a fully legalized and regulated cannabis market, public support for reform remains strong.
A 2024 Roanoke College poll found that 63% of Virginians back policies that would help small cannabis businesses compete with larger pharmaceutical companies and medical dispensaries.
Even with the latest setbacks, Democratic lawmakers, a small number of Republicans, and cannabis reform advocates are pushing for a renewed effort to establish a retail cannabis market, underscoring the need for consumer protection, tax revenue generation and the reduction of illegal sales.
In a silver lining for advocates, the General Assembly passed House Joint Resolution 497, also sponsored by Krizek, establishing a joint commission to oversee what advocates believe to be a transition to an inevitable legal retail cannabis market in Virginia.
The creation of this commission, which does not require the governor’s approval, is set to begin its work this summer and operate until July 1, 2028. It provides a platform for public comment and engagement, ensuring that voices from across the state are heard as the transition moves forward.
“We’ll be able to talk to the legislators in both chambers, and we’ll continue to make edits on our current proposal, so that whatever governor comes in for next year, we will all be on the same page about what we want for Virginia,” Wise said. “And that’s our win for this session.”
And when asked if he plans to introduce the cannabis legislation for a third time next year, Krizek responded with determination: “You bet,” he said. “I think, no matter who the governor is, I feel like we’re going to make it happen. I’m going to make it happen.”
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www.thecentersquare.com – By Sarah Roderick-Fitch | The Center Square – (The Center Square – ) 2025-04-17 10:37:00
(The Center Square) – The water crisis that gripped the Richmond in January, leaving the capital waterless for days, was “completely avoidable,” according to a new report.
The outage stemmed from a January winter storm that knocked out power at Richmond’s water treatment plant. It caused much of the area, including businesses, to halt normal activity, additionally delaying the start of the General Assembly.
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin released a scathing report from the Virginia Department of Health on the crisis, noting the incident could have been prevented, calling on the city to implement a corrective action plan following “a second notice of violation against the city.”
In addition to the plan of action, the governor announced funding assistance to businesses, agriculture and non-profits impacted by the crisis.
The governor didn’t mince words in his criticism of Richmond, telling leaders it is time to act.
“The disruption of a safe and reliable water supply in Richmond this past January never should have happened,” said Youngkin. “Moving forward, it should never happen again, and I’ve directed the Department of Health to ensure Richmond takes all corrective actions necessary to achieve that objective. The people of Richmond and the surrounding counties persevered through this preventable crisis, and now it’s time for city leaders to step up for their citizens.”
The report stems from an investigation by VDH’s Office of Drinking Water and Short Elliott Hendrickson, Inc., an engineering firm tasked with identifying issues that led to the Richmond area being left without “reliable” water service for days. They found that “significant operational, procedural, and infrastructure failures” contributed to the crisis.
The report underscored that the crisis was “completely avoidable,” pointing to the city’s water treatment plant for the failures. By operating in “winter mode, the plant relied “solely on overhead main power, eliminating critical redundancy.”
In addition, the investigation cited “poor maintenance” with critical backup systems, including backup batteries that were not “properly maintained despite known flood risks.”
Lastly, the investigation claims the treatment facility over-relied on manual processes, which include “ineffective emergency plans and manual procedures hampered” the plant’s response when it lost power.
“Our public water systems are our primary source of safe drinking water. Given the essential role that water plays in our daily lives, it is critical that stronger preventative measures be in place,” according to a release from the governor’s office. “Moving forward, VDH will coordinate with City officials to develop and implement a corrective action plan, addressing these deficiencies and preventing future outages.”
In an effort to assist several entities impacted by the outage, Youngkin announced that the U.S. Small Business Administration has made Economic Injury Disaster Loans available to those affected.
The loans are intended to help “small businesses, small agriculture cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, non-profit organizations” that suffered economic impacts to aid with “operational costs during the recovery process.”
The declaration covers the counties of Goochland, Hanover, Henrico and Richmond City, as well as Caroline, Charles City, Chesterfield, Cumberland, Fluvanna, King William, Louisa, New Kent, Powhatan and Spotsylvania counties.
www.youtube.com – 13News Now – 2025-04-16 15:01:44
SUMMARY: The weather for the Easter weekend in Virginia will be pleasant, with temperatures in the upper 70s to low 80s by Friday and Saturday. After cooler temperatures and breezy conditions on Wednesday, temperatures will gradually rise. Thursday will remain cool, with highs in the mid-60s, but Friday will see warmer temperatures, reaching the upper 70s. Easter Sunday will be partly sunny with a high of 79°. Overall, the weekend will be a great time to enjoy outdoor activities, with sunny skies and warm temperatures. Rain chances will remain low until Tuesday of the following week.
We’ll get close to 90 degrees on Saturday with partly sunny weather for almost all of the next 7 days!
www.thecentersquare.com – By Shirleen Guerra | The Center Square – (The Center Square – ) 2025-04-16 11:37:00
(The Center Square) – Big money is already pouring into Virginia’s 2025 race for lieutenant governor—and just four candidates are pulling far ahead of the pack.
Together, they’ve raised more than $2.4 million across 12 committees, with just four candidates accounting for the majority of that total and setting an early tone for one of the most competitive and well-funded races in recent memory.
Democratic Del. Aaron Rouse and Republican attorney John Curran are sitting on the largest war chests so far, with both reporting more than $900,000 in cash on hand by the end of March, according toThe Virginia Public Access Project.
Rouse has significant contributions from labor unions and progressive organizations, including contributions from SEIU Birgona 512, Clean Virginia and the Virginia Education Association.
Curran, by contrast, reported raising less than $20,000 during the first quarter but entered the race with a hefty balance already banked. His donor list includes business-aligned PACs and individual contributions, such as those from the Virginia Chamber of Commerce and Dominion Energy.
Rouse has raised nearly $400,000 since January and ended March with about $926,000 in cash on hand.
Ghazala Hashmi, a Democratic state senator, reported raising over $750,000 and ending the quarter with approximately $547,000 in cash.
Hashmi’s campaign was powered by grassroots donations and support from Democratic-aligned PACs, with major contributions from EMILY’s List and labor unions.
Barur Lateef, a Prince William County School Board member and eye surgeon, raised just over $522,000 by the end of March. He ended the first quarter with approximately $360,000 in cash on hand, drawing support from healthcare industry donors and local Democratic networks.
Levar Stoney, former Richmond mayor, raised approximately $976,000 and reported about $539,000 in cash on hand. His top donors include major individual backers like Thomas McInerney, donating $30,000. Common Good Virginia PAC also contributed more than $16,000 across two donations.
