Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R‑VA) vetoed legislation that would have established a legal marijuana market in Virginia after it was passed by the Democratic-controlled legislature.
Marijuana has been legal in Virginia since 2021, but the state has yet to establish a legal commercial market after the initial law. Youngkin blasted the proposal as a danger to the health and safety of the state in a lengthy veto statement on Thursday.
“The proposed legalization of retail marijuana in the Commonwealth endangers Virginians’ health and safety,” Youngkin said. “States following this path have seen adverse effects on children’s and adolescent’s health and safety, increased gang activity and violent crime, significant deterioration in mental health, decreased road safety, and significant costs associated with retail marijuana that far exceed tax revenue.”
He also argued that the bill failed to address conc …