Virginia

Virginia General Assembly advances cannabis retail framework – WTOP News

Published

1 month ago

February 18, 2026

Virginia General Assembly advances cannabis retail framework – WTOP News

After years of clearing the General Assembly only to meet a veto, legislation to create a legal, adult-use cannabis market…

This article was reprinted with permission from Virginia Mercury.

After years of clearing the General Assembly only to meet a veto, legislation to create a legal, adult-use cannabis market in Virginia passed both chambers Tuesday — this time with a governor ready to sign it and retail sales poised to begin as early as November.

The votes mark the clearest signal yet that Virginia is poised to move from legal possession without legal sales to a fully regulated marketplace, a transition that has eluded the commonwealth since 2021, when lawmakers first legalized simple possession.

Tuesday morning, the House passed House Bill 642, sponsored by Del. Paul Krizek, D-Fairfax, by a 65-32 vote. Hours later, the Senate approved Senate Bill 542, introduced by Sen. Lashrecse Aird, D-Petersburg, by a narrow 21-19 margin after an initial failed vote.

Similar proposals have cleared the General Assembly in recent years — often with bipartisan backing — but were repeatedly vetoed by former Gov. Glenn Youngkin. This year, the political calculus has shifted. Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger has vowed to sign legislation establishing a regulated retail market.

Under Krizek’s bill, the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority would administer the retail system, with no retail sales allowed prior to Nov. 1, 2026.

“It’s about fixing a status quo that is not working,” he said, noting that while adult possession of cannabis is legal, retail sales remain unregulated.

Right now, he said, the absence of a legal marketplace means “no testing, no standards and no oversight whatsoever.”

The bill, he added, would replace what he described as a $5 billion illegal market with a regulated system designed to protect public health. He pointed to requirements for testing, labeling and packaging, as well as enforcement mechanisms and penalties intended to keep products away from minors.

Krizek said the legislation takes a phased approach to give the Cannabis Control Authority time to implement the framework responsibly. It also preserves local control, granting localities full zoning authority over where and how retail stores operate.

He added that the proposal creates opportunities for small businesses and communities disproportionately harmed by past enforcement and called it “a measured, responsible step forward.”

Legal to possess, illegal to sell

Virginia first decriminalized marijuana in 2020 before lawmakers legalized simple possession.

But they failed to finalize a retail framework before Republicans regained the governor’s mansion, leaving cannabis in legal limbo — legal to possess, illegal to sell.

Over the past year, a joint legislative commission has worked to craft a new roadmap, hearing testimony from regulators, industry experts and advocates about safety, access and equity concerns.

Over the past year, the joint legislative commission held a series of hearings and work sessions to refine the framework, beginning with presentations in August on potential rollout models, followed by October discussions weighing safety, access and equity concerns.

By November, members were reviewing a draft retail blueprint, and in December they unveiled revisions aimed at setting the stage for a 2026 launch.

The Senate version, sponsored by Aird, largely mirrors the House proposal but sets a later retail start date of Jan. 1, 2027.

The measure initially failed Tuesday afternoon after Sen. Adam Ebbin, D-Alexandria, recused himself because he is about to assume a role at the Cannabis Control Authority. Moments later, Ebbin asked for reconsideration, stating he has “no financial interest” in an adult-use cannabis marketplace. On the second vote, the bill passed 21-19.

The substitute measure adopted this week, Aird said, incorporates many elements lawmakers have seen before but also introduces new approaches — starting with governance.

“This new legislation takes on the approach where the Cannabis Control Authority will manage the license and regulatory portions while the marketplace is immediately being stood up,” Aird said.

Taxes, caps and rollout timeline

The measure establishes a state tax rate of 12.875% on retail cannabis sales, along with an additional 3% local option tax. Permit applications would begin in July 2026, and seed-to-sale tracking would start Sept. 1, 2026, ahead of a Jan. 1, 2027 retail launch.

“The transaction limit for retail purchases will remain at 2.5 ounces, which has always been throughout this process,” Aird said.

The legislation outlines standards for a lottery process for impact licensees and creates a tiered cultivation licensing structure based on canopy size, ranging from tiers one through five, with the largest capped at 35,000 square feet.

A maximum of 350 retail licenses would be issued statewide. Cultivation facilities would be capped at 450 through 2028. At-home cultivation would continue to be permitted, allowing up to four plants per household, provided each plant is tagged with the grower’s name and identification.

Local governments would no longer be able to ban cannabis retail through referenda.

The bill also sets THC limits for non-pharmaceutical products at 10 milligrams per serving and 100 milligrams per package. Aird said it includes robust criminal provisions aimed at cracking down on illicit sales and the illegal marketplace.

“There are a lot of details in this legislation,” she said.

If signed by Spanberger, the measures would mark the final step in a yearslong effort to bring structure and oversight to a market that has operated without a legal retail framework.

Aird emphasized Tuesday that many lawmakers contributed to shaping the legislation — a proposal she said reflects extensive collaboration across chambers.

“There are many in this chamber that have helped shape this legislation,” she said.

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Virginia

The latest twist in Virginia’s redistricting battle: a ‘pink slime’ newspaper in Arlington | ARLnow.com

Published

3 hours ago

March 24, 2026

Press Room

The latest twist in Virginia’s redistricting battle: a ‘pink slime’ newspaper in Arlington | ARLnow.com

As debate over Virginia’s redistricting referendum heats up ahead of next month’s vote, a partisan newspaper advancing Democrats’ arguments has begun showing up in Arlington mailboxes.

The latest issue of The Virginia Independent — a product of American Independent Media, which specializes in content that mimics the form of impartial news sources in order to promote progressive causes — devotes a significant amount of space to the upcoming April 21 vote on redistricting.

A front-page spread spotlights former President Barack Obama’s support for the effort, which would heavily advantage Democrats in response to gerrymandering in Republican-controlled states such as Texas. Another story emphasizes the temporary nature of the proposal, while a third is an “exclusive” Q&A with the headline, “Two Virginians, one message: Why they support the April 21 redistricting amendment.”

Softball questions in the Q&A touch on topics such as a “30-second elevator pitch” for undecided Virginians and the consequences of gerrymandering in red states.

“Mathews County retiree Sheila Crowley and former redistricting commission member James Abrenio say the temporary measure is necessary — both to meet the moment and to ensure Virginia’s congressional map represents voters,” the subhead states.

Media watchers including the Center for Health Journalism and the Columbia Journalism Review have described American Independent Media’s content as a form of “pink slime” journalism, which looks like news but is usually thinly and unevenly reported in order to support a partisan viewpoint. Conservative counterparts to The Virginia Independent include the Richmond Leader and the Henrico Times in the Richmond area.

The Virginia Independent did not respond to a request for comment.

This isn’t the first unconventional mail campaign connected to this year’s redistricting vote. On the other side of the issue, a mailer opposing redistricting used imagery evoking the Civil Rights Movement in accusing Virginia lawmakers of “trying to take our districts away.”

Sponsored by a political action committee led by former Del. A.C. Cordoza (R), it prompted criticism from the Virginia NAACP and Attorney General Jay Jones (D), who accused the mailer of spreading a false message that redistricting would threaten Black representation.

The Virginia Independent predates the current redistricting campaign. The oldest stories on its website date back to early 2025, and it sent other mailers in Northern Virginia during last year’s election cycle — prominently featuring content that favored Democratic candidate Abigail Spanberger’s successful gubernatorial campaign.

Unlike some partisan publications, The Virginia Independent’s stories all have bylines. The author of the front-page story on redistricting, Anna Gustafson, previously worked at the Michigan Advance — part of States Newsroom, the same nonprofit news organization behind the Virginia Mercury — before joining the American Independent News Network in late 2023, according to her LinkedIn.

While redistricting is a prominent theme, most stories in the mailer are about other topics, including health care, therapy dogs and the Virginia Teaching Artists program.

American Independent Media describes itself as “a progressive media organization that produces news and information content regarding government and politics.” It had total revenues of $35.7 million in 2024.

The organization’s website lists a total of five sites in addition to The Virginia Independent: The Michigan Independent, The Pennsylvania Independent, The Wisconsin Independent and The New Jersey Independent.

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Virginia

Kentucky 74-73 West Virginia (Mar 23, 2026) Final Score – ESPN

Published

16 hours ago

March 24, 2026

Press Room

Kentucky 74-73 West Virginia (Mar 23, 2026) Final Score – ESPN

Key and Strack help Kentucky women beat West Virginia 74-73 to secure Sweet 16 trip

— Teonni Key had 19 points and 10 rebounds, Clara Strack had 18 points and 15 rebounds, and Kentucky nearly gave up a big lead and held on to beat

Mar 23, 2026, 09:02 pm – AP

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Virginia

How to buy Virginia vs. TCU women’s basketball Sweet 16 tickets

Published

1 day ago

March 23, 2026

Press Room

How to buy Virginia vs. TCU women’s basketball Sweet 16 tickets

The Virginia Cavaliers continue to thrill as they’re moving on to the Sweet 16 of the women’s NCAA Tournament!

UVA is the first double-digit seed to make the Sweet 16 in the women’s bracket since 2022, and it’s the Cavaliers’ first trip to the Sweet 16 since 2000.

After a fourth quarter surge to push overtime, the No. 10 Cavaliers took over in double overtime, stunning No. 2 Iowa with a 83-75 win. It was a group effort on the floor, but the Cavs were led by Kymora Johnson with 28 points.

SHOP: Virginia women’s basketball Sweet 16 tickets

After advancing to the Sweet 16, the Cavaliers will face No. 3 TCU in Sacramento, Calif. on Saturday, March 28.

Knowing that matchup is set, here is everything you need to know to buy Virginia vs. TCU Sweet 16 March Madness tickets.

Shop Virginia vs. TCU Sweet 16 tickets

Virginia vs. TCU March Madness Sweet 16 tickets

Virginia women’s March Madness Sweet 16 opponent

Virginia reached the Sweet 16 after upsetting No. 2 Iowa on Monday afternoon. Now, they’ll play No. 3 TCU in the Sweet 16.

Virginia vs. TCU women’s March Madness Sweet 16 schedule

Virginia will take on the TCU Horned Frogs after defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes on Monday afternoon. The game will be played on either Friday, March 27 or Saturday, March 28. Shop Virginia vs. TCU Sweet 16 tickets now.

More March Madness: Everything fans need to know about the 2026 NCAA Tournament

Virginia vs. TCU women’s basketball Sweet 16 tickets

Limited UVA vs. TCU women’s Sweet 16 tickets are still available. Get your Virginia vs. TCU March Madness Sweet 16 tickets now starting at $39.

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UVA women’s basketball Sweet 16 game locations

Virginia will play its Sweet 16 game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif., against TCU on Saturday, March 28. Shop your Virginia NCAA Tournament tickets now.

When is March Madness 2026?

The First Four of the women’s NCAA Tournament tipped off the 2026 March Madness tournament on Wednesday, March 18. The two rounds run between Friday, March 20 and Monday, March 23. The tournament concludes with the Final Four on Friday, April 3 and the National Championship game on Sunday, April 5.

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