Gov. Glenn Youngkin reiterated his lack of interest in the cannabis legislation after lawmakers excluded the sports arena in the budget.
RICHMOND, Va. — The likelihood of the marijuana marketplace legislation becoming law in Virginia seems unlikely after lawmakers dashed the proposed Monumental Sports arena from the budget.
In a video posted to social media on Monday, Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin addressed having to sift through more than 1,000 bills passed by the Virginia General Assembly in 30 days. Youngkin already signed 64 bills into law, amended 12 bills, and vetoed eight.
Democrats said one of their biggest priorities is to establish a marketplace for recreational marijuana sales. As the piece of legislation heads to the Governor’s desk, the likelihood of him signing it seems slim to none.
Youngkin wanted legislators to include funding for the $2 billion proposal to build a sports and entertainment district in Alexandria for the Washington Capitals and Wizards. When that never happened last week, Youngkin responded by saying, “I’ve been clear. I don’t have interest in the cannabis legislation. I’ve expressed that to people over and over again.”
Senate Finance Chair Louise Lucas, D-Chesapeake City, a major opponent of the sports arena, knew that the budget would jeopardize bills they want signed.
“Here we are talking about an opportunity to bring 30,000 jobs, $12 billion of economic impact in the Commonwealth of Virginia and the fastest growing most dynamic area which is sports and entertainment, and you want to talk about putting a cannabis shop on every corner? I don’t quite get it,” Youngkin added.
However, Del. Paul Krizek, a sponsor of the marijuana legislation, pushed back on Youngkin’s statement. He said the bill is intended to have fewer cannabis shops than liquor stores and eliminate illicit unsafe street markets.
“He won’t sign it, but he should,” Krizek said in a statement. “It’s the right thing to do for the citizens of the Commonwealth. I am not a fan of the arena deal in Alexandria and voted against it. I think the cannabis bill should be signed based on its own merits and not tied to some big deal.”
JM Pedini of NORML, the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, is still waiting on what Youngkin decides although it seems obvious to many others.
Pedini is frustrated with what the breakdown in the sports arena talks would mean for other marijuana-related bills heading to the Governor’s desk.
He already vetoed one version of a bill that would amend the child neglect laws in Virginia to protect parents who consume cannabis responsibly.
“It’s really disappointing to Virginians that legislation that’s really important to them is getting caught up in partisan politics,” Pedini said.
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