Virginia
Virginia's Cannabis Legalization Saga: What's Next?
The TDR Three Takeaways on Virginia Legalization and maybe 2027?
- Virginia’s planned legalization of the cannabis market faces delays due to political drama that are more like a script for a future political drama series than logical.
- The veto by Governor Youngkin underscores a significant ideological barrier to the regulated sales of cannabis in Virginia.
- Future cannabis legislation in Virginia hinges on the 2025 gubernatorial election, which could delay legalization until 2027.
Looking back at Virginia’s attempt at legalization and sales of recreational cannabis is more like a script for a Netflix political series than about Cannabis. This drama continues involving Governor Glenn Youngkin’s veto of a bill that would have initiated regulated adult-use cannabis sales. The projected commencement of legal cannabis sales not before 2027 is a decision that has catalyzed discussions on both state and public levels.
Virginia lawmakers, predominantly Democrats, had been pushing forward a framework that aimed to legalize the retail sale of marijuana following the 2021 legalization of cannabis possession and use under Governor Ralph Northam. However, the transition of power to a Republican governor and the subsequent shift in the House has seen a blockade in the re-enactment of regulatory frameworks necessary for these sales. This year, despite having control over both legislative chambers, Democrats faced a setback as Governor Youngkin vetoed the newly passed legal sales bill. This veto highlights a fundamental ideological and political disagreement regarding the role and regulation of cannabis within the state, citing concerns over public health and safety.
Senator Adam Ebbin and Senator Aaron Rouse have been vocal about the challenges posed by the current administration’s stance against establishing an adult-use cannabis market. Their predictions now set the earliest date for the initiation of legal cannabis sales in Virginia to 2027, contingent upon the election of a more supportive governor in the 2025 gubernatorial election. This timeline assumes that the new governor, who would take office in January 2026, would be in favor of passing such legislation, thus paving the way for a 2027 market launch.
This delay and political maneuvering illustrate a broader issue within Virginia’s approach to cannabis. The state currently allows the use, possession, and limited cultivation of cannabis by adults but remains in a legislative limbo where sales are concerned. The need for a supermajority to override Governor Youngkin’s veto further complicates the legislative process, making it a significant hurdle for cannabis advocates within the state legislature.
As Virginia prepares for future legislative sessions, lawmakers like Delegates Paul Krizek and Senators Ebbin and Rouse are focusing on crafting legislation that can either garner wider bipartisan support or await a more favorable political climate post-2025 elections. This strategy, however, necessitates a patient and strategic approach to advocacy and lawmaking, with an eye on the long-term goal of establishing a regulated, safe, and economically beneficial cannabis market in Virginia. Want to keep up to date with all of TDR’s research and news, subscribe to our daily Baked In newsletter.
Virginia
Sunshine State Bound Wolverines Ready for Virginia Tech at Fort Myers Tipoff – University of Michigan Athletics
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The University of Michigan men’s basketball team (4-1) hits the road to take on Virginia Tech (3-2) at the Fort Myers Myers Tip-Off on Monday (Nov. 25) at Suncoast Credit Union Arena. Opening tip is scheduled for 6 p.m., and the game will be broadcast live on FS1.
Notes
• There will be eight teams in two divisions competing in the Fort Myers Tipoff. Michigan is among four teams in the Beach Division along with South Carolina, Virginia Tech and Xavier. The Palms Division features Miami (Ohio), Jacksonville, Mercer and Siena.
• The Maize and Blue faces Virginia Tech in its Beach Division opener on Monday. After a prep day, Michigan plays either South Carolina or Xavier in the consolation (6 p.m.) or championship (8:30 p.m.) on Wednesday (Nov. 27).
• After Thanksgiving, the Michigan women’s team plays at the Fort Myers Tipoff, in Shell Division play. Kim Barnes Arico’s Wolverines open with Belmont (Nov. 29; 2 p.m.) and play either Virginia Tech or Davidson on Saturday (Nov. 30) in the consolation (2 p.m.) or championship (5 p.m.).
• Michigan is 4-2 all-time against Virginia Tech. After winning the first four games in the series, the Wolverines have dropped the last two. U-M faces Virginia Tech for the first time in eight years, last playing in 2016 ACC/Big Ten Challenge at Crisler Center. All six games in this series have been part of a tournament or specialty event.
• Michigan is 3-3 all-time against South Carolina. The Wolverines could face the Gamecocks for the first time in six years, with the teams having faced off in the second game of a home-and-home series played in 2018. There have been three games in Ann Arbor, and two in Columbia. The lone neutral-site game was the championship of the 2006 NIT in Madison Square Garden (U-M lost 76-64).
• Michigan is 3-1 all-time against Xavier. Two of the four games have been played in the postseason. The first came in the 1984 NIT quarterfinals — a 63-62 U-M win — as the Wolverines went on to claim their first NIT title. The second was in the 1989 NCAA first round — a 92-87 U-M win — which was the launching point for the Maize and Blue on its way its first national championship. The last meeting between the Wolverines and Musketeers was in the 2015 Gavitt Games (Big Ten vs. Big East) at Crisler Center — nine years ago (U-M lost 86-70).
• ?Michigan wrapped up a three-game homestand (3-0) and improved to 4-1 overall. Now, U-M plays five of its next six games on the road. The Wolverines will be away from Ann Arbor for seven of its next 10 games.
• U-M is shooting 52.8 percent from the field, which ranks 15th nationally. Seven Wolverines are shooting above 50 percent as Tre Donaldson leads U-M shooting 62.2 percent (23-for-37).
West Virginia Mountaineers: Commitment 101: Jahmir Davis
Cincinnati (Oh.) La Salle 2025 offensive tackle Jahmir Davis has committed to West Virginia.
The 6-foot-6, 305-pounder, picked the Mountaineers after a weekend official visit to campus where he earned a scholarship offer from the Big 12 Conference program.
The Buckeye State product also held offer from Marshall and Kent State but had been on the West Virginia radar since the summer.
That interest picked up over the past several weeks after a strong senior season where he earned Division II Southwest District All Star first-team selection honors.
Davis was recruited by recruiting coordinators Trey Neyer and Ken Signoretti and then developed into a connection with offensive line coach Matt Moore.
The offensive tackle fills a need for West Virginia in the 2025 class and becomes the third offensive lineman to commit to the program this cycle behind Olney (Md.) Good Counsel 2025 offensive lineman Gavin Crawford and Olney (Md.) Good Counsel offensive lineman Eidan Buchanan.
Overall, Davis is the 23rd prospect to commit to West Virginia in the 2025 class.
WVSports.com breaks down the commitment of Davis and what it means to the West Virginia Mountaineers football program both now and in the future.
Skill set:
Davis possesses excellent size and good athleticism for an offensive tackle. He also has an impressive wingspan which is going to help him in his role at the position. An under-the-radar type, West Virginia has had a lot of success over the years with identifying these athletic body types and molding them for their roles along the offensive front and Davis has the potential to do the same.
The Mountaineers needed to find another tackle type body in this class and Davis checks that box physically, while also impressing with his play on the field as a senior.
Fitting the program:
West Virginia needed more offensive tackle body types in the program with the Mountaineers set to lose both of their starters from the 2024 season to graduation. Buchanan is a major piece to that puzzle, but Davis is also is exactly what the doctor ordered. An intriguing frame, with plus athleticism, Davis is going to need to develop his body at the college level and fill out but has the physical qualities that you’re looking for at tackle.
The offensive lineman has already visited Morgantown so there is a comfort level there and he should be able to step and in start that process in an offensive line room that will lose four players at the end of the year.
West Virginia has continued to make Ohio a key state when it comes to targeting players and Davis is just the latest to join the program in the past couple seasons.
Recruiting the position:
In terms of offensive tackles Davis fills the need there but the Mountaineers are still recruiting one key target on the offensive line in Ohio commitment Parma (Oh.) Padua Franciscan 2025 offensive lineman Brandon Homady. Like Davis, Homady took an official visit over the weekend to Morgantown and the Mountaineers have made him a priority down the stretch as an interior option on the offensive front.
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CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) – The West Virginia Parkways Authority is expecting an estimated 715,100 total transactions to take place at the West Virginia Turnpike’s three toll booths in the six-day Thanksgiving holiday travel period from Tuesday, November 26, 2024, to Sunday, December 1, 2024.
“Wednesday and Sunday of Thanksgiving week are typically two of the busiest travel days we experience on the West Virginia Turnpike during the entire year” said Jeff Miller, executive director of the Parkways Authority.
On Wednesday, November 27, 2024, 150,000 transactions are expected to take place on the West Virginia Turnpike, with 160,000 transactions expected on Sunday, December 1, 2024.
A total of 127,500 transactions are expected on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, with heavier traffic from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.; 65,000 transactions estimated on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 28, 2024; and 82,500 transactions estimated on Friday, November 29, 2024. On Saturday, November 30, 2024, the West Virginia Parkways Authority estimates 127,500 transactions at Turnpike toll booths.
Copyright 2024 WSAZ. All rights reserved.
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