Virgnina Medical Cannabis License Solutions

The Cannabis License Experts team will help you to get your Virginia growers license faster and with an unmatched success rate. Having to repeat your Virginia cannabis dispensary License application process will set your business back by months and significantly impact your earnings potential. Let us show you how we’ll help you on your path to a Virginia Cannabis License and much more by booking your free consultation today.
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cannabis in virginia

Market Overview

On April 7, 2021, Virginia became the first state in the South to begin the process of legalizing adult-use cannabis in Virginia. With newly legalized recreational operations added to this existing medical state, Virginia cannabis is a promising new market in the Southeastern US. Although several MSOs have already established a presence, there is exponential room for Virginia cannabis growth to newcomers of this regulated new Virginia cannabis market. Lawmakers narrowly approved compromise legislation legalizing a commercial recreational marijuana program that could generate nearly $1.5 billion in annual sales over the next five years. However, the commercial Virginia cannabis market isn’t scheduled to launch until 2024. Current legislation also emphasizes Virginia cannabis licensing opportunities for small and minority-owned local businesses. Initially, Virginia cannabis products were limited to cannabis oils, edibles, and vape cartridges with single doses capped at 10 milligrams of THC. On July 1st, 2021 smokable cannabis products in Virginia became legal however the dispensing of all products is prohibited until Jan 1, 2024 except to medically Virginia cannabis licensed patients from pharmaceutical processors.

Book a free consultation today to learn more about how Cannabis License Experts can assist you and your team on the path to licensure in the Virginia cannabis market.

Licensing Requirements, Timelines, and Selection Processes for the Virginia cannabis market

Prior to approving adult-use regulations, Virginia cannabis had an existing medical cannabis program with its first medical dispensary opening in August of 2020. Virginia’s cannabis’ medical pharmaceutical processor program is only authorized to permit five companies to cultivate, process, and dispense medical cannabis to registered patients. Four of the health service areas have a permitted pharmaceutical processor dispensing medical cannabis. The application period for Virginia cannabis licensing has closed. The Cannabis Control Authority and Virginia Board of Pharmacy overseas cannabis programs and licensing for the state.
cannabis license virginia

Hear from Our Successful Clients

Some of the World’s Largest Brands have Trusted CLE to Support their Cannabis Journey.

5 Star Google Reviews

Matthew Caton Yield Cannab

Canna License Experts, and their team were retained by our company to help us along the way with a retail canna license. Brian Wolf along with Kalpna Mistry and their team of experts were there the entire way through the process. Thanks again to Brian and Kalpna for all you support from our family at YIELD Cannab Co.

Lin Yan GMLL Pharma

We have contacted a few licensing company before I decided to contact with Canna licensing Experts. So far I think I have made the right choice and I am happy with the work they have done for us. The team answer questions promptly and never leave us alone. Not to mention their charge are reasonable comparing the similar type of consulting company and quality of their job.

Joseph Dow Dow Testing Labs

Brian and Kalpna at Cannabis License Experts were very pleasant, informative, and knowledgeable regarding licensing. They helped us fill out all the forms needed and guided us through the entire process. I am sure that without their guidance our application would still be in process, or have been dismissed because of some missing information.

virginia cannabis licenses

Virginia Cannabis Financial Requirements

Common for most jurisdictions as a mandatory component of the Virginia cannabis application is the requirement for a minimum amount of liquid cash on hand. This ensures that applicants have the financial wherewithal from the licensing process through to the initial 2-5 years of operation. General requirements for Virginia cannabis license applications include bank statements, CPA letters, Letter of Credit, or similar documentation. Additionally, a 2-3 year Pro Forma is also submitted as a component of the formal Business Plan. Fees may vary depending on the type of business and your Virginia cannabis application status.

The financial requirements for obtaining a pharmaceutical processor license was significant due to the license size and limitation on license quantities under this fully vertical system. It is anticipated that the Virginia cannabis adult-use program will have less barriers to entry when it comes to capital requirements as the license types are activity based. It is also anticipated that a social equity program will create paths to licensure for qualified applicants however the specific details are unknown at this time.

Virginia Cannabis License Types

Subject to reenactment next year, the legislation agreed to by the conference committee would impose a ceiling on Virginia cannabis licenses across the different sectors of the industry. It is anticipated that the initial Virginia cannabis licensing will take place in 2023 ahead of the program starting in 2024.
Virginia Cannabis License Types
Basic Demographic Information
Resources include the US Census Bureau, City-Data.com, and any additional relevant resources.
Total # of Counties95
Total # of Cities38 Cities; 191 towns
Population in 2019159,428

City of Alexandria

37
Median Age
$103,284
Medial Income
$572K
Median Home Price
$1780/Month
Fair Market Rent

Virginia Beach

37

Median Age

$80K

Medical Income

$296K

Median Home Price

$1363M

Fair Market Rent

449,974

Country Population in 2019

Virginia Cannabis Business Climate

Virginia Cannabis Business Climate

Overall, the majority of the state has embraced the formal legalization of Virginia cannabis for both medical and recreational use. With few notable exceptions, licensing of all Virginia cannabis operations continues to be moving at a reasonable pace.

Virginia earned high marks in education, workforce, access to capital, business friendliness and the general health of its economy, but came middle-of-the-pack for the cost of living and doing business. A strong workforce and a solid education system, access to capital, and cost of living keep Virginia competitive as a place to do business.

Real Estate & Zoning

Consideration for regional and local zoning with regard to allowed proximity to certain business types, schools, and other prohibited areas. The Cannabis Control Authority was recently formed on July 1st, 2021. The CCA will adopt final regulations for zoning and application processes in 2022 at the earliest with a target date of January 1st, 2024 for retail sales to begin in the state.

The current legislation does lay out a few key points that could affect site selection.
cannabis in virginia

One-Stop Business Solutions Provider

When you partner with CLE, you are able to leverage our proven knowledge and best industry resources to provide you a complete Cannabis Business Solution.

Frequently Asked Questions

Virginia’s recently approved adult-use cannabis legislation authorizes the creation of the Cannabis Control Authority (CCA). The CCA’s creation is solely for the purpose of regulating the adult use cannabis market. Previously, the medical cannabis program in Virginia had heavy oversight and regulation from the Virginia Department of Health Professions Board of Pharmacy.

It is anticipated that edibles will be available in Virginia for adult-use once this program launches in 2024. Currently registered medical cannabis patients can buy edibles from licensed cannabis dispensaries. 

As of July 1, 2021 the possession of up to one ounce of cannabis for personal use became legal in Virginia however the sale of cannabis and cannabis derived products will not be permitted before January 1st, 2024. 

With sales beginning in early 2024, it is anticipated that the application period for adult-use cannabis facility licenses will become available 2nd or 3rd quarter of 2023. To get assistance with preparing your business for this application process please book a consultation with the Cannabis License Experts team. 

Don't Know Where To Begin? Get Started Now

Applying for a Virginia Cannabis License and unsure where to start?
Virginia’s adult-use cannabis program does not go into effect until Jan 1, 2024, with licensing to commence shortly before that date. Now is the time to get ahead of the process by defining your business. CLE can develop a preliminary business and feasibility plan to help give an understanding of business viability within the Virginia cannabis market and give you a head start in this process.
In order to get started, reach out to one of our regulatory experts today to learn more about Cannabis Business Solutions.
Cannabis License
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