Virginia became the first state in the South to vote to establish a cannabis regulatory system to license adult-use cannabis sales. On April 7, 2021, Virginia passed HB2312 and SB1406. These laws introduced by Governor Northam established a three-year path to regulating legalized cannabis sales, cultivation, distribution and manufacturing of cannabis products. The new state laws will also have social equity components.
The state of Virginia has established the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority, which will now work on drafting the regulations for the state’s cannabis business licenses. They will be working on all of the cannabis rules, creating the application forms and determining the zoning for the cannabis licenses, among other things. Now is the time to begin to get ready for the cannabis business license application process, as it is expected to be very competitive. The cannabis attorneys at Cannabis Law Group can help advise you on how to start your cannabis business in Virginia.
There are only four medical dispensaries open in Virginia as of February 2021 that are registered through Virginia’s Medical Cannabis Program. Virginia approved a regulatory program for only five providers in 2017, which they call “pharmaceutical processors”. These companies are the only ones in Virginia that are currently allowed to grow, extract and dispense their products. However, this will change with the implementation of Virginia’s new cannabis laws and you will be able to apply for a cannabis license in Virginia likely in 2022 or 2023, which legal cannabis sales set to launch on January 1, 2024. It is never too soon to start preparing for the cannabis license application process in Virginia. The cannabis attorneys at Cannabis Law Group can prepare you for the rigorous process of obtaining your Virginia cannabis license.
Under the Virginia Medical Cannabis Program, a patient, parent or registered agent may possess cannabis oil once they have been issued a valid written certification from a practitioner who is registered with the Board of Pharmacy. After July 1, 2021, it is now legal for adults to possess one ounce in public (no limit on what you can possess at home and cannot consume in public). Adults 21 years of age and older can cultivate up to 4 plants per household.
In 2022, the Virginia General Assembly, working together with the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority, with advice from the Virginia Health Advisory Council, will complete the regulations required for the state to begin issuing cannabis business licenses in the state of Virginia. The new cannabis laws will also promote diverse participation in the cannabis industry by creating a Business Equity & Diversity Support Team at the Cannabis Control Authority. In addition, the new laws will create a loan program to provide loans to qualified social equity cannabis business licensees. This program has been set up for the purpose of promoting economic growth and business ownership for those who live in areas that have been disproportionally impacted by cannabis prohibition.
Our cannabis attorneys have been practicing cannabis law in California since 2009. We have helped many clients obtain their cannabis cultivation licenses, cannabis retail licenses as well as cannabis delivery, distribution, manufacturing and delivery licenses. We know what it takes to get the license and can advise you on the steps that you will need to take to position yourself for your own cannabis business license.
The cannabis lawyers at Cannabis Law Group have obtained many cannabis licenses for our California clients. Cannabis licensing has been available in California since 2016 and so, over the years, we have refined and perfected our processes to help you and give you the best chance to obtain your cannabis license. We advise clients throughout the United States on cannabis licensing in each state where it is available. We can help you prepare you application and draft all of your operating procedures, as well as business plans. These are the types of documents that are typically required when you apply for a cannabis license. Call Cannabis Law Group today at 949-375-4734 to get legal advice on how to start your Virginia cannabis license application.