The Daily Press
By KATE SELTZER | [email protected] | Staff writer


A cannabis retail market could be coming to Virginia as soon as next November, if the General Assembly passes the legislation and Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger signs off on it. Since 2021, Virginians have been able to legally possess marijuana for personal use but unable to legally purchase it.
The Joint Commission to Oversee the Transition of the Commonwealth into a Cannabis Retail Market rolled out the legislative proposal Tuesday afternoon, which amends legislationpassed last session but was vetoed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin, then and previously.
“States following this path have seen adverse effects on children’s and adolescent’s health and safety, increased gang activity and violent crime, significant deterioration in mental health, decreased road safety, and significant costs associated with retail marijuana that far exceed tax revenue,” Youngkin wrote in his veto explanation.
That legislation contained a provision that would have allowed localities to opt out of a retail market. But this year’s proposal gets rid of that option. It also increases the amount localities can tax from 2.5% to 3.5%.
“By allowing opting out, what we’re really doing is allowing opting in to the illicit market,” said Commission Chair Paul Krizek, D-Fairfax. “So there will not be any dry counties, like in the days of alcohol.”
That’s a problem for the conservative Christian group Family Foundation.
​

“I think that our opposition to legalization and commercialization is fairly well known,” Todd Gathje, a lobbyist for the group, said during the public comment period at Tuesday’s commission meeting. “I think we’re extremely discouraged by the fact that we’re not going to have some type of local referendum to allow localities to decide what’s going to be put in their localities.”
Others took issue with the introduction of a provision that would require the commission to study the possibility of involving the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (Virginia ABC) with the enforcement of laws and regulations related to the cannabis retail market.
“We made a conscious decision, I think it was in 2021, to establish a Cannabis Control Authority to regulate cannabis and be focused on cannabis and to follow some of the best practices from pharmaceutical,” said Sen. Adam Ebbin, D-Alexandria. “I don’t know why we’re bringing back a study of the ABC being involved in it.”
A representative for Virginians for Safer Cannabis agreed, saying the organization was on solid ground with the up-and-running CCA and would oppose efforts to make ABC a regulating body.
And some people were worried about next year’s potential start state. Chelsea Higgs Wise with Marijuana Justice thanked the commission for its work but said the CCA might not be prepared for the tight turnaround.
“We will continue to say that we’re worried about the early start that November 1 might provide, and just a realistic chain of events, that CCA may not be able to hire, train and implement the staff needed,” she said.
The current proposal says that up to 50% of the available licenses would go to microbusinesses that would operate on a small scale. And the CCA would give special attention to individuals seeking licenses that met certain criteria, like having been convicted in the past of distributing marijuana or residing in a jurisdiction determined to have been disproportionately policed for marijuana crimes.
Higgs Wise worried that microbusinesses and hemp retailers seeking to convert their license to marijuana retail might not be ready in time for a Nov. 1 start date.
“Our suggestion is to … say that our November 1 start date would be a go as long as these other operators are certified and ready to go as well, because there could be a hold-up that is not their own fault,” she said.
Some hemp retailers, who spoke during public comment period, expressed concern that they would be unable to procure one of the 350 available licenses for retail marijuana sale, and a legalized marijuana market would stifle their competition.

The Daily News Leader
Bill Atkinson, [email protected]

Beginning Nov. 12, you no longer have to fumble with your wallet to pull out identification to board a plane, to buy booze or even if you get pulled over by a Virginia state trooper.

The state Department of Motor Vehicles has launched Virginia Mobile ID, a free app that securely stores all of your personal information just like a physical driver's license does. The app produces a QR code that can be scanned at airports, DMV offices, Alcoholic Beverage Control stores, and by state troopers or local law enforcement.

It's still in its early stages in acceptance, however, as only certain airports, ABC stores and local police departments have signed on to accept it.

"DMV is actively working to expand Virginia Mobile ID acceptance across the commonwealth, including more retailers, restaurants and law enforcement agencies," the department said in a statement announcing the program.

And it will not mean that you can leave your driver's license at home because Virginia law still dictates it be with you at all times while driving.

It also has not reached the stage where you will be able to put your driver's license in your Apple or Android wallets, but DMV said that will happen "In the coming months."

How does the Virginia

Mobile ID work?

While other states have created similar programs DMV Commissioner Gerald Lackey told The Progress-Index that about 19 others have launched one Virginia will be the first state where Mobile ID will be accepted at DMV CSCs, by law enforcement, and at nine pilot Virginia ABC stores.

Virginia DMV is a founding member of the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators' Digital Trust Service, a nationwide security protocol and intrastate database that acts as a central clearinghouse for storage and distribution of personal information. Started in 2024, the DTS also serves Maryland and Utah.

Each user will be given QR codes that can be scanned by participating agencies and businesses. Data is grouped into four sections Travel, Age, Standard ID and Driver's License depending upon how the ID will be used.

For example, if you are at a TSA checkpoint, you would tap the Travel option for scanning. If you are purchasing alcohol at an ABC store or restaurant, you would use the Age option.

The data is encrypted and transmitted directly between the phone and the reader device. Users can control how much data is shared and must authorize each scan.

DMV neither stores nor tracks user activity

"Security is paramount," Lackey said.

Who is accepting the

Virginia Mobile IDs now?

According to DMV, Mobile ID can be used at the following:

TSA airport checkpoints: Richmond International, Norfolk International, Newport News-Williamsburg International, Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional, Reagan National and Dulles International, plus more than 250 airports across the nation.

Police departments: Virginia State Police, the cities of Falls Church, Portsmouth, Staunton and Virginia Beach; the town of Wytheville; and the counties of Chesterfield, Hanover, New Kent and Washington.

All DMV customer service centers.

As of now, only nine ABC stores in the metro Richmond area are piloting the Mobile ID. "Upon successful completion of the pilot program, Virginia ABC may expand to additional stores," DMV said.

Currently, the only restaurant accepting Mobile ID in Virginia is located in Norfolk.

The Mobile ID app is available through the App Store or Google Play. It takes a few minutes to install, and installation involves scanning the back of your driver's license and taking a selfie.

DC News Now

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — As of July 1, multiple new alcohol-related laws — including two that impact how such beverages can be sold — went into effect across Virginia.
On Tuesday, July 1, five new laws impacting the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (ABC), as well as its current and prospective licensees, went into effect. These changes reflect bills recently passed by the Virginia General Assembly.
1. To-go cocktail delivery is here to stay.To-go cocktails became very popular during COVID-19, when many restaurants were forced to pivot towards carry-out.
A provision that allowed licensed third-party delivery providers like DoorDash and Uber Eats to deliver wine, beer and to-go cocktails was set to expire — until the General Assembly moved to make it permanent.
“These bills, in conjunction with prior legislation, continue the same public safety protections, including those related to packaging and labeling, that have been in place,” the Virginia ABC said in a press release.
2. Customers can now be served full canned cocktails — some of them, at least.Mixed-beverage licensees face a variety of restrictions on how and what kind of drinks they can provide to their customers.
Under this new law, these licensees can now serve individual customers an entire canned cocktail both in-house and to-go — with some restrictions. The original canned cocktail must be 16 ounces or less and it must be no more than 15% alcohol by volume.
3. Human trafficking training has been added at Virginia ABC.An online course on human trafficking, developed by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services, will be offered by the Virginia ABC to retail licensees and their employees for training purposes.
4. A new group will focus on cracking down on underage smoking sales.While this law may not involve alcohol, it does involve the Virginia ABC and its Bureau of Law Enforcement.
This new law created a working group to address enforcement on illegal, underage sales of tobacco, liquid nicotine and hemp products. 
The Virginia ABC’s Bureau of Law Enforcement conducts an underage buyer program with alcohol and tobacco sellers. It will contribute to this working group, per the agency.
5. Rules on how alcohol manufacturers conduct sales with vendors are now clearer.This law, in theory, does not actually change any requirements currently on alcohol manufacturers, bottlers or wholesalers. Instead, it clarifies the language within existing statute to make current requirements clearer.
Under Virginia law, these manufacturers, bottlers and wholesalers can get retail licenses and provide products to their licensees as long as the products they provide are not alcoholic beverages.

“Now marking its 91st year, ABC remains committed to progress and innovation in carrying out its vision of bringing good spirits and excellent service to Virginia,” the Virginia ABC said in the release.

WSLS

The Virginia ABC recently awarded over $60,000 in Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (ABC) Alcohol Education and Prevention grants to various organizations.
The VA ABC believes that these grants will assist in preventing high-risk drinking and its negative impacts on communities across the commonwealth.
“Virginia ABC’s Community Health and Engagement Division works to eliminate underage and high-risk drinking by building the capacity of community groups to educate individuals and prevent alcohol misuse. We look forward to partnering with these grantees to positively impact the communities they serve.”

Here are the grantees for 2025-2026:

• Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare - $10,000: BRBH will partner with five substance abuse prevention coalitions through the BRBH Prevention and Wellness Division to reach Roanoke Valley residents. 
• Carl’s Care - $4,433: This project in Suffolk aims to prevent high-risk drinking among domestic violence survivors by providing education and support to reduce alcohol misuse as a coping mechanism.
• Christopher Newport University - $10,000: This project will establish a designated substance use prevention workgroup at Christopher Newport University under the Wellness Action Team for Captain’s Health (W.A.T.C.H.).
• Danville-Pittsylvania Community Services - $10,000: The Danville-Pittsylvania Community Services, the Regional Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention and partners will address underage drinking and driving among young people aged 15-17. 
• Mount Rogers Community Services - $4,444: This initiative will promote alcohol prevention across audiences of all ages through two strategies, including a digital campaign focused on underage drinking prevention and a regional wellness fair.
• Tidewater Community College - $7,500: Trained students will participate and host engaging events and activities that educate their peers on the risks of underage and excessive drinking.
• Virginia State University Public Health Institute - $10,000: “Motivated, Educated and Empowered” will be an in-person education program offered bi-monthly to 70 students in Petersburg City Public Schools, aged 14-18.
• Word of Life International Church - $4,250: Word of Life’s program is designed to combat the problem of underage drinking in Fairfax County through the combined utilization of education and mentorship.

By Toby Robertson
Altavista Journal News Correspondent   
Altavista Police Chief Tommy Merricks says, “In a collaborative effort to combat underage drinking, the Altavista Police Depart partnered with Virginia ABC, the Altavista YMCA, Altavista High School, and the Campbell County Sheriff’s Department to bring Project Sticker Shock to the Altavista community on April 9th and 10th.”
Project Sticker Shock is a statewide campaign aimed at discouraging adults from providing alcohol to minors and preventing youth from using fake IDs to purchase alcohol. The initiative involved placing bright, eye-catching stickers and window clings on alcohol cases and store windows to remind customers of the serious legal consequences of supplying alcohol to underage individuals.
“With spring break approaching and prom season just around the corner, this is an ideal time to raise awareness and remind the community of the risk and responsibilities related to underage drinking,” Merricks. “It’s great we can work together for such a worthwhile project for the community.” 
The success of Project Sticker Shock relies heavily on collaboration, and Altavista’s efforts reflect a strong partnership between law enforcement, local school, retailers and youth organizations. By working together, these groups are sending a clear message: preventing underage drinking is a shared responsibility. 
Chief Merricks extends his gratitude to all participating agencies and students for making the project a reality and contributing to a safer community. 
On Wednesday April 9 and Thursday April 10 students in Haley Wolgamot journalism students visited ABC-licensed retailers along Main Street to place the warning materials. The stickers clearly state the penalties for underage alcohol purchases and fake ID use, including fines and potential jail time. Stores visited were: Apple Market, One Stop Market, CVS, GB, A Mart, KDR, and Express Lane to place stickers on coolers. 
Wolgamot explains that she got involved with the project after Chief Merricks reached out to the Principal Stefanie Anderson, looking for a group of students to work with to implement Project Sticker Shock. Anderson reached out to Nuntis staff. Project Sticker Shock is an initiative sponsored by the VA ABC Authority to bring awareness of underage alcohol consumption and its adverse effects. Wolgamot’s journalism students embraced this project, several having stories of family members who have been impacted negatively by alcohol, mostly car accidents. She was pleased to see the maturity in which they approached this project. It is her hope that seeing these stickers will deter underage drinking and lead to safe roads and healthier teenagers and young adults. 
Josiah Monroe, a student at ACS, said he thinks it is important you know that alcohol has a negative effect on our brains and it can become very addictive at an early age because our brains aren’t fully developed.
Jayla Elam, another student at ACS said “The stickers are bright so it’s going to catch people’s attention and it’s going to really make them think this can affect their life.” 
Students helping with the initiative said they hope it makes a difference.
Lucinda Davis, owner for 20 years at One Stop Market said she is happy to help spread the word. Davis adds, “You have to check ID’s, because people look older or younger. You can’t tell the age. You’re not only protecting yourself, you’re protecting them and protecting everybody else’s family, because people don’t realize that not only does it hurt themselves, but they could go out there and hurt an innocent person.”
Penalties for the violator include a Class 1 misdemeanor, and a maximum penalty for that is 12 months in jail or a $2,500 fine. The person who sells the alcohol, the clerk in the store, could be subject to a Class 1 misdemeanor as well, but the stores are also subject to civil penalties. If they’ve had previous offenses, it could cost them $10,000 for one instance of selling to an underage person. They just want people to know that there are consequences with your actions. 
The majority of youth do not pay for the alcohol they drink and their most common source of alcohol is an unrelated person age 21 or older. Giving alcohol to youth is called social providing. Underage drinkers may also use fake ID to purchase alcohol. 
The students want to thank One Stop markets for the food and drinks.