Bill to Restrict THC Sales Heads to Virginia Governor

While Virginia lawmakers could not agree on a path to commercial adult-use cannabis sales this year, the General Assembly passed legislation to restrict the sale of certain THC products in the state.

Senate Bill 591, which is now headed to Gov. Glenn Youngkin, permits only the state’s licensed cannabis retailers to sell products containing more than 0.3% or 0.25 mg of THC per serving, as well as products containing more than 1 mg of THC per package, according to a Virginia Mercury report.

The restrictions apply to any naturally occurring or synthetic version of THC, including delta-8, the news outlet reported.

RELATED: Virginia Lawmakers Look to Regulate the Sale of Cannabinoid Products Containing THC

Virginia legalized adult-use cannabis last year, and while the law’s personal possession and home grow provisions took effect July 1, 2021, the state has yet to launch commercial adult-use sales.

In the meantime, a variety of THC products have popped up for sale at non-cannabis retailers, such as gas stations and health food stores, according to the Virginia Mercury.

Sen. Emmett Hanger (R-Augusta) initially introduced S.B. 591 in January to crack down on cannabis edibles that could appeal to children, but the legislation has since expanded to tackle the larger unregulated market, the news outlet reported.

“This product is dangerous because people don’t understand the impact, the safety issues,” Hanger told the Virginia Mercury.