Virginia 2023 Regular Session

Virginia House Bill HB1846

Introduced
1/10/23  
Refer
1/10/23  
Report Pass
2/2/23  
Engrossed
2/6/23  
Refer
2/8/23  
Report Pass
2/17/23  
Engrossed
2/21/23  
Engrossed
2/21/23  
Engrossed
2/22/23  
Enrolled
3/7/23  

Caption

Medical marijuana program; product, registration, dispensing, and recordkeeping requirements.

Impact

The legislation will significantly impact existing state laws by integrating more robust control measures and safety protocols into the state's medical marijuana framework. It allows for the annual renewal of permits for both pharmaceutical processors and cannabis dispensing facilities and sets limitations on the number of facilities that can operate within certain health service areas. Additionally, the requirement for independent laboratory testing of cannabis products aims to ensure that all products dispensed meet established quality standards.

Summary

House Bill 1846 aims to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for the medical marijuana program in Virginia, specifying product requirements, registration, and dispensing protocols for cannabis products. This bill updates existing statutes to ensure that the production and distribution of cannabis products adhere to stringent health and safety standards while facilitating patient access to medicinal cannabis. Key provisions include regulations regarding the number of permits for pharmaceutical processors and cannabis dispensing facilities, as well as measures for testing and labeling cannabis products for safety and potency.

Sentiment

The general sentiment surrounding HB 1846 appears positive among proponents who advocate for improved regulation and patient access, viewing the bill as a step forward in legitimizing and structuring the cannabis industry in Virginia. However, there are concerns raised by critics about the potential for restrictive measures that could impact the availability of quality products for patients. The balance of regulation and patient rights remains a focal point of debate.

Contention

Notable points of contention include the limitations imposed on the number of processing and dispensing permits and the degree of control that the state will retain over the cannabis industry. Some advocates for patient rights argue that excessive regulatory controls may hinder access for patients who need these products. Furthermore, the provisions regarding criminal background checks for employees and the prohibition of felons from participating in the industry reflect concerns about both ensuring safety and potentially limiting workforce diversity within the sector.

Companion Bills

VA SB1337

Same As Medical marijuana program; product, registration, dispensing, and recordkeeping requirements.

Previously Filed As

VA HB1989

Medical cannabis program; changes requirements for product labels, dispensing cannabis products.

VA HB391

Medical cannabis program; product labels, delivery, marijuana delivery operators.

VA HB391

An Act to amend and reenact §§ 4.1-1600, 4.1-1602, and 4.1-1603 of the Code of Virginia, relating to medical cannabis program; product labels; delivery.

VA SB543

Marijuana and hemp products; enforcement.

VA SB2294

Allowable amounts of usable medical marijuana, medical marijuana recordkeeping, cannabinoid edible products, patient qualifications, and disclosure of information.

VA HB1203

Definitions of medical marijuana products.

VA HB642

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

VA SB542

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

VA HB395

An Act To Amend Titles 3, 4, And 16 Of The Delaware Code Relating To Hemp, Marijuana, And Marijuana Products.

VA HB2775

Hemp product; clarifies definition.

Similar Bills

VA HB1989

Medical cannabis program; changes requirements for product labels, dispensing cannabis products.

VA HB391

Medical cannabis program; product labels, delivery, marijuana delivery operators.

VA HB391

An Act to amend and reenact §§ 4.1-1600, 4.1-1602, and 4.1-1603 of the Code of Virginia, relating to medical cannabis program; product labels; delivery.

OR HB3613

Relating to pharmaceutical purchasing; prescribing an effective date.

VA SB542

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

VA HB642

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

KY HB772

AN ACT relating to pharmaceutical manufacturers.

VA HB642

An Act to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-2499.8, 2.2-2818, 2.2-2905, 2.2-3114, 2.2-3711, as it is currently effective and as it shall become effective, 2.2-3802, 2.2-4024, 3.2-4112, 3.2-4113, 3.2-4116, 3.2-4126, 3.2-5145.1, 3.2-5145.2:1, 3.2-5145.4, 4.1-103, 4.1-105, 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, 4.1-1402, 4.1-1500, 4.1-1501, 4.1-1502, 4.1-1600 through 4.1-1603.2, 4.1-1604, 5.1-13, 9.1-1101, 15.2-912.4, 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, 18.2-371.2, 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, as it is currently effective and as it shall become effective, 19.2-389.3, 19.2-392.02, 19.2-392.6 and 19.2-392.12:1, as they shall become effective, 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, 54.1-3401, 54.1-3443, 58.1-301, and 59.1-200 of the Code of Virginia; to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Subtitle II of Title 2.2 a part labeled D, containing a chapter numbered 61, consisting of a section numbered 2.2-6100, by adding in Chapter 6 of Title 4.1 sections numbered 4.1-629 and 4.1-630, by adding in Title 4.1 chapters numbered 7 through 10, consisting of sections numbered 4.1-700 through 4.1-1010, by adding sections numbered 4.1-1102 through 4.1-1105, 4.1-1106, 4.1-1106.1, 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 4.1-1407, by adding a section numbered 4.1-1602.1, by adding in Title 4.1 a chapter numbered 17, consisting of sections numbered 4.1-1700 through 4.1-1705, 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 Article 4 (§§ 3.2-4122 through 3.2-4126) of Chapter 41.1 of Title 3.2 and §§ 3.2-5145.4:1, 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.