Virginia lawmakers passed legislation to let people 21 and over buy cannabis recreationally starting Jan. 1, 2027, moving the state closer to ending its yearslong stay in marijuana purgatory.

If it is signed into law by Gov. Abigail Spanberger as expected, the legislation would mark the end of a six-year wait for people who have been allowed to carry small amounts of marijuana without a way to buy it for recreational use.