Cannabis control; establishes framework for creating retail market, penalties.
Summary
An Act to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-2499.8, 3.2-4113, 4.1-352, 4.1-600, 4.1-601, 4.1-603, 4.1-604, 4.1-606, 4.1-607, 4.1-611, 4.1-614, 4.1-621, 4.1-1100, 4.1-1101, 4.1-1121, 4.1-1500, 4.1-1501, 4.1-1502, 4.1-1601, 4.1-1604, 5.1-13, 9.1-1101, 16.1-69.40:1, 16.1-260, 16.1-273, 16.1-278.9, 18.2-46.1, 18.2-247, 18.2-248, 18.2-248.01, 18.2-251, 18.2-251.03, 18.2-251.1:1, 18.2-251.1:2, 18.2-251.1:3, 18.2-252, 18.2-254, 18.2-255, 18.2-255.1, 18.2-255.2, 18.2-258, 18.2-258.02, 18.2-258.1, 18.2-265.1, 18.2-265.2, 18.2-265.3, 18.2-287.2, 18.2-308.012, 18.2-308.4, 18.2-460, 18.2-474.1, 19.2-66, 19.2-81, 19.2-81.1, 19.2-83.1, 19.2-188.1, 19.2-303.01, 19.2-386.22 through 19.2-386.25, 19.2-389, 19.2-389.3, as it is currently effective and as it shall become effective, 19.2-392.02, 19.2-392.6, 22.1-206, 22.1-277.08, 23.1-1301, 46.2-105.2, 46.2-347, 48-17.1, 53.1-231.2, 54.1-2903, 58.1-301, and 59.1-200, as it is currently effective and as it shall become effective, of the Code of Virginia; to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 6 of Title 4.1 sections numbered 4.1-629, 4.1-630, and 4.1-631, by adding in Title 4.1 chapters numbered 7 through 10, consisting of sections numbered 4.1-700 through 4.1-1008, by adding sections numbered 4.1-1102 through 4.1-1105, 4.1-1106, 4.1-1113, 4.1-1114, 4.1-1115, 4.1-1117, 4.1-1118, and 4.1-1119, by adding in Title 4.1 a chapter numbered 12, consisting of sections numbered 4.1-1200 through 4.1-1206, by adding in Chapter 13 of Title 4.1 sections numbered 4.1-1300, 4.1-1301, and 4.1-1303 through 4.1-1309, by adding in Chapter 14 of Title 4.1 sections numbered 4.1-1403 through 4.1-1406, by adding in Article 2 of Chapter 1 of Title 6.2 a section numbered 6.2-108, and by adding in Chapter 44 of Title 54.1 a section numbered 54.1-4426; and to repeal §§ 4.1-1101.1, 4.1-1105.1, 18.2-248.1, and 18.2-251.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to cannabis control; retail market; penalties.
Bill status
vetoed
4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Feb 2025
House of Delegates Passage
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Mar 2025
Vetoed
Mar 2025
Introduced Jan 8, 2025
Vetoed Mar 24, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons
What changed between versions
General Laws Substitute
→
Enrolled
·
4 edits
·
Mar 10, 2025
MODERATE
The bill transitioned from a House Substitute draft to an Enrolled Act, meaning it has been finalized and approved by the Governor. The substantive policy changes include adding new sections to the Code of Virginia to enhance penalties for delivering drugs or weapons to prisoners (new Class 5 and Class 3 felonies), expanding the Attorney General's authority to intercept communications in cases involving specific felonies like extortion and kidnapping, and clarifying arrest procedures for law enforcement.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded by adding new criminal provisions and enforcement mechanisms related to prison security and wiretapping authority, while maintaining the original intent of cannabis control and retail market regulation.
ENFORCEMENT
New felony penalties were added for delivering controlled substances or firearms to prisoners, increasing the maximum penalty for drug delivery to Class 5 felonies and weapon delivery to Class 3 felonies.
The Attorney General's authority to apply for wire and electronic communication interception orders was expanded to include specific felonies such as extortion, bribery, and kidnapping.
New provisions were added to clarify the circumstances under which law enforcement officers can arrest individuals without a warrant, specifically regarding fleeing from an officer.
TECHNICAL
The document format changed from a 'House Substitute' draft to an 'Enrolled' Act, indicating the bill has passed all legislative stages and received executive approval.
Floor votes · Senate Feb 11, 2025 · House of Delegates Feb 4, 2025
How they voted
40–0
Passed
Total votes 40
Feb 11, 2025
D
Democratic21
100% Yea
R
Republican19
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
35
Key actions
11
Committee
9
Apr 2, 2025
Vetoed
House sustained Governor's veto
lower
Mar 24, 2025
Vetoed
Vetoed by Governor
executive
Mar 10, 2025
Upper · Passed
Signed by President
upper
Mar 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
Signed by Speaker
lower
Mar 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB2485ER)
lower
Feb 12, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate (21-Y 18-N)
upper
Feb 11, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed by for the day
upper
Feb 11, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported from Finance and Appropriations (10-Y 5-N)
upper
Feb 7, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported from Rehabilitation and Social Services and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (8-Y 6-N)
upper
Feb 5, 2025
Committee
Referred to Committee on Rehabilitation and Social Services
upper
Feb 4, 2025
Lower · Passed
Read third time and passed House (53-Y 46-N)
lower
Jan 29, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported from Appropriations (13-Y 8-N)
lower
Jan 29, 2025
Lower · Passed
Subcommittee recommends reporting (5-Y 3-N)
lower
Jan 28, 2025
Committee
Assigned Approps sub: Transportation & Public Safety
lower
Jan 28, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported from General Laws with substitute and referred to Appropriations (14-Y 8-N)
lower
Jan 22, 2025
Committee
Assigned GL sub: Subcommittee #5
lower
Jan 8, 2025
Committee
Referred to Committee on General Laws
lower
1 primary · 19 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Paul Krizek
DDemocratic
Co
Adele McClure
DDemocratic
Co
Amy Laufer
DDemocratic
Co
Bonita Anthony
DDemocratic
Co
Cia Price
DDemocratic
Co
Cliff Hayes
DDemocratic
Co
Dan Helmer
DDemocratic
Co
Debra Gardner
DDemocratic
Co
Delores McQuinn
DDemocratic
Co
Destiny LeVere Bolling
DDemocratic
Co
Irene Shin
DDemocratic
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