Republican Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin vetoed two of the most important Democratic legislative priorities in his state: bills requiring an increase in the minimum wage and authorizing the start of recreational retail marijuana sales the following year.
The moves were not necessairly unexpected. Youngkin told reporters he didn't think the minimum wage measure was necessary and that he wasn't interested in setting up retail marijuana sales, even though he hadn't specifically threatened to veto either set of bills.
Virginia's Legalized Marijuana Without Retail Sales
Virginia became the first state in the south to legalize marijuana in 2021 when it changed its laws to permit individuals over 21 to both possess and grow the narcotic. But because of changes in partisanship and policy since then, the state never established retail sales and continues not to do so.
Proponents argue that this divergence is enabling the black market to grow, while opponents fear that increasing drug availability would have negative health and safety effects. Youngkin stated in a statement that he recognized those worries.
"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", he added, "It also does not eliminate the illegal black-market sale of cannabis, nor guarantee product safety,"
In Virginia, marijuana is now legal for adult use and home growing. Additionally, patients can buy the substance from a dispensary provided they have a written certification from a medical professional.
The legislation would have required the state to begin accepting applications on September 1st in order to cultivate, test, process, and sell the medication in advance of the market opening on May 1st, 2025, with items subject to an up to 11.625% tax.
Religious and socially conservative organizations opposed the law, while a variety of business interests backed it, according to The Hill.
Youngkin Wage Increase Veto Labeled 'Dismissive'
The bill's sponsor in his chamber, Virginia Beach Democrat Sen. Aaron Rouse, claimed that Youngkin had taken a "dismissive" approach to the matter.
In an official statement, he declared, "This veto blocks a pivotal opportunity to advance public health, safety, and justice in our Commonwealth."
When Virginia legalized marijuana for the first time, Democrats controlled every aspect of state governance. Later that year, elections altered that, with Youngkin becoming victorious and the Republicans seizing control of the House of Delegates for a two-year period.
Republicans have supported legalizing recreational sales since the 2021 session, but their attempts to do so in 2022 and 2023 were unsuccessful.
Governor Ralph Youngkin of Virginia has vetoed 107 bills, including one that would have raised the minimum wage from $12 to $15 on January 1, 2025, and $13.50 on January 1, 2026. In addition to disregarding Virginia's regional economic differences, the policies would "imperil market freedom and economic competitiveness," encourage high pay, raise costs for households and small businesses, and jeopardize jobs.
The 2020 minimum wage increase was first planned by Virginia Democrats, but it was postponed due to the coronavirus epidemic. Proponents stated the bill will assist working people in meeting their basic needs and keeping up with inflation.
Youngkin signed 100 laws, including ones to pursue child predators and provide adequate health care to Department of Corrections prisoners.
He also rejected three others, including one that would have excluded farmworkers from the state's minimum wage legislation and required a sentence review for 315 felony marijuana offenders in prison or on community supervision. Governor noted present legislation is a "balanced approach" while the suggestion would benefit one party.
The regular session of the part-time General Assembly was adjourned earlier this month. Youngkin's proposed revisions to law will be discussed at a one-day session that will take place in Richmond on April 17. They may also try to override one or more vetoes, which would need a two-thirds majority in both chambers, which the Democrats barely control, The Free Press reported.
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