HB 2485 Virginia House of Delegates · 2025 Regular Session

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

400
Passed
Total votes 40
Feb 11, 2025
D Democratic21
21 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican19
19 Yea
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