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Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · Bill

SB 542: Cannabis control; establishes framework for creation of retail marijuana market, penalties, report.

Passed both chambers Official data

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Passed one chamber
  4. Passed both chambers
  5. Enacted

Last official action: ·Record last updated:

Plain-language summary

SB 542 is a bill introduced in the Virginia Senate on January 13, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: Cannabis control; establishes framework for creation of retail marijuana market, penalties, report. Primary sponsor: Lashrecse Aird (Democratic). It lists 2 additional sponsors. Most recent recorded action (April 14, 2026): Substitute bill reprinted 26110453D.

Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

Cannabis control; retail market; penalties. Establishes a framework for the creation of a retail marijuana market in the Commonwealth, to be administered by the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority. The bill provides that no retail sales may occur prior to January 1, 2027. Effective January 1, 2027, the bill also moves oversight of the retail sale of certain regulated hemp products from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority. This bill incorporates SB 671 and SB 826 and is identical to HB 642.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 3

NameRolePartyChamberDistrict
Lashrecse AirdPrimary sponsorDemocraticSenate13
Louise LucasCo-sponsorDemocraticSenate18
Aaron RouseCo-sponsorDemocraticSenate22

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

  1. Substitute bill reprinted 26110453D
  2. Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (4/14/2026 4:24 pm)
  3. Governor's recommendation received by Senate
  4. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB542)
  5. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
  6. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026
  7. Signed by Speaker
  8. Signed by President
  9. Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB542ER)
  10. Enrolled
  11. Conference report agreed to by House (64-Y 32-N 0-A)
  12. Conference report agreed to by Senate (21-Y 18-N 0-A)

Showing 12 most recent of 40 actions. Full history

Sources

  1. Open States / Plural (data from the official legislature website)
  2. Official legislature source