This Southern State Could Start Weed Sales In 2024, Legal Marijuana Coming To MO & More Reg Updates

Virginia Could Kick Off Pot Sales In 2024 If This Bill Gets Green Light In General Assembly

Virginians might be able to buy recreational cannabis under a bill that is set to be reviewed by General Assembly, reported 8News WRIC.

On Friday, the Senate Rehabilitation and Social Services Committee members greenlighted an amended bill that would allow medical cannabis providers to launch sales of recreational marijuana next January.

Sen. Adam Ebbin, who sponsored the bill, said medical cannabis operators will need to pay a fee to be able to enter into five franchise agreements with applicants coming from communities that have been historically economically disadvantaged who would be able to launch sales on the first day of 2024. Other applicants will have to wait six more months.

“Cannabis is legal to possess in Virginia and we want people to have a way to buy a safe, regulated product,” Ebbin said. “If it’s going to be sold, it should be taxed.”

The Old Dominion became the first state in the South to legalize adult-use cannabis in April 2021, after lawmakers approved several changes to cannabis bills SB 1406 and HB 2312, initially proposed by Northam.

Since then, state lawmakers have been working on setting up a framework for legal sales.

Recently, Republican Delegate Keith Hodges (R-Gloucester) submitted a separate bill that seeks to amend regulatory provisions that were a part of the cannabis legislation signed by Gov. Ralph Northam (D). This measure also seeks to address social equity applicants, more precisely to prioritize any applicant who is looking to operate in areas that have been economically disadvantaged instead of giving priority to those who are from these areas.

Weed Sales In MO To Launch In February

Missourians 21 and older will be able to buy recreational marijuana starting Monday, Feb. 6.

In November, Missouri voters legalized adult-use cannabis by approving an initiative known as Amendment 3. The bill expanded the current medical marijuana program by allowing existing licensees to serve both medical and non-medical purchasers.

Up to 97% of medical cannabis operators have applied to sell marijuana as well, Lisa Cox, communications director with the Department of Health and Senior Services, told the Columbia Missourian.

She added that those seeking to covert a comprehensive license have until Feb. 6 deadline to do it.

Currently, medical marijuana patients can legally possess up to 6 ounces within a 30-day period and adults are allowed to possess up to 3 ounces of marijuana.

Purchasing marijuana can be done after providing a valid government-issued ID.

Maryland Lawmakers Getting Ready For Rec Sales Launch

Meanwhile, in Maryland, lawmakers are set to focus on marijuana policy reform this session, reported The Diamondback.

Over 65% of Maryland voters legalized adult-use cannabis in November. Beginning in July 2023, adults over 21 can possess up to 1.5 oz of cannabis and 10 grams of cannabis concentrate.

With the market expected to generate up to $1 billion by the fourth year, according to some industry stakeholders, members of the 2023 General Assembly are expected to advance regulatory legislation about licensing and taxing recreational marijuana sales.

“The Maryland adult-use market is expected to generate $550 - $600 million in its first year and potentially up to $1 billion by the fourth year,” Matt Darin, CEO of Curaleaf Holdings Inc CURLF told Benzinga’s Nina Zdinjak recently. “We look forward to identifying opportunities for growth in the state after adult-use regulations are established and intend to remain a leading provider of cannabis in the state to both medical and adult-use customers.”

Other bills filed to amend cannabis-related laws include a measure from Sen. Jill Carter under which probable cause could not be determined based only on the smell of cannabis or the possession of marijuana.

“Now, as marijuana will be legal, it would be an illegal activity for law enforcement officers to continue to use [the odor of marijuana] as a pretext,” Carter said recently.

Photo: Courtesy of NikolayFrolochkin and ganjaspliffstoreuk by Pixabay