The Virginia Cannabis Control Authority (CCA) released its draft regulations last week for the state’s adult-use cannabis industry, Virginia Business reports.
Virginia lawmakers reached an agreement to legalize adult-use cannabis sales about two months ago. Under the new law, the adult-use market is capped at 350 licensed dispensaries. Additionally, the law allows for only five of the industry’s biggest tier of cultivation licenses, which cover up to 35,000 square feet of cannabis canopy.
The draft rules include a $40,000 licensing fee for cannabis retailers, and between $20,000 and $50,000 in licensing costs for a cannabis cultivation facility, depending on its size. Microbusiness licenses, which allow for vertically integrated operations on a smaller scale, would cost $2,500 under the proposed regulations.
Regulators noted the draft regulations are still up for changes or negotiation — “These are not final by any means,” CCA Legislative and Regulatory Manager Jake Shuford said in the report.
State law requires the CCA to award adult-use licenses by May 1, 2027.
Sales are expected to launch on July 1, 2027.
