Lawmakers negotiating the budget have come to an agreement that would establish a retail cannabis market in the state. That could mean Virginians would be able to legally buy and sell recreational cannabis beginning in July 2027.

Previously, Gov. Abigail Spanberger vetoed the legislation creating a retail cannabis market after the General Assembly rejected her substantial amendments to the bill that included harsher penalties for some cannabis offenses and eliminated language about how revenue generated from cannabis sales tax would be allocated. But negotiations continued after the veto.