Virginia's Cannabis Control Authority (CCA) has posted nearly a dozen cannabis regulatory job openings as Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) faces an April 13 deadline to sign, veto, amend, or allow by inaction a recreational sales bill sent to her desk this month.
Roles include a cannabis licensing director tasked with providing "strategic and operational leadership for all cannabis licensing functions" and ensuring "licensing processes are fair, transparent, timely, and compliant with statutory and regulatory requirements," as well as a compliance and enforcement director, cannabis equity business loan administrator, compliance and enforcement manager and inspector, senior licensing associate, impact business support specialist, chief licensing and compliance officer, talent acquisition specialist, and impact business support team manager. Most applications close this Sunday; others close April 12.
Spanberger backed legalizing adult-use sales during her campaign but has not addressed specific bill provisions. If she proposes amendments, lawmakers reconvene April 22 to respond. Separate bills on her desk would provide resentencing relief for past convictions, protect consumer parental rights, allow medical marijuana access in hospitals, update delivery and labeling rules, and strengthen enforcement against illegal cannabis sales.
The sales legislation—SB 542 from Sen. Lashrecse Aird (D) and HB 642 from Del. Paul Krizek (D)—would open the market January 1, 2027, with adults permitted to buy up to 2.5 ounces per transaction. Key provisions include:
- Taxes: 6% excise, 5.3% retail sales and use, plus up to 3.5% local.
- Revenue: 40% early childhood education, 30% Cannabis Equity Reinvestment Fund, 25% Department of Behavioral & Developmental Health Services, 5% public health.
- CCA would absorb hemp oversight from the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services; local governments could not ban cannabis businesses.
- Delivery permitted; serving sizes capped at 10mg THC, 100mg per package.
- Existing medical operators may convert to adult-use licenses for a $10 million fee.
- Businesses must establish labor peace agreements.
- A legislative commission would study on-site consumption licenses, microbusiness event permits for venues such as farmers markets, and possible Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority involvement in cannabis regulation.
Personal possession and home cultivation have been legal in Virginia since 2021; former Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) vetoed adult-use sales bills twice.