https://mjbizdaily.com/virginia-senate-oks-bill-to-start-recreational-marijuana-sales-in-september/

The Democratically-controlled Virginia Senate passed a bill to kickstart recreational marijuana sales in September, but the measure faces an uncertain future in the Republican-controlled House of Delegates.

According to WRIC, the state’s upper chamber approved the measure on a bipartisan 23-16 vote.

If the bill becomes law, it would mean an earlier start to the adult-use cannabis industry. Sales originally were scheduled to start in January 2024.

In the House, Republican lawmakers want to make a number of changes to the adult-use law that was approved last year, when Democrats held both chambers and the governor’s mansion.

The bill would allow some licensed medical marijuana businesses in Virginia to start recreational sales on Sept. 15.

But it would postpone the full market launch until the original 2024 start date.

Under the provisions of the bill, pharmaceutical processors would have to pay a $6 million one-time license fee to the state to begin recreational sales early, while hemp processors would have to pay $500,000 for the same privilege.

If lawmakers can’t agree on a single bill for industry regulations, that may delay the market launch until the legislature can pass an implementation bill, as required by the original legalization measure from 2021.