Dear Mr. Chairman and Members of the Joint Commission, Thank you for the opportunity to comment on Virginia’s developing cannabis retail framework. My goal is clear: the Commonwealth should not move forward until a real, enforceable social-equity and reentry system is in place — one that exists before the first retail license is issued. We’ve seen what happens when states legalize before building fairness. Justice-impacted people get left behind while large operators move in. Virginia cannot repeat that mistake. Legal sales should not begin until the incubator, loan fund, and reinvestment systems are active, staffed, and publicly accountable. Let’s be clear — MSOs (multi-state operators) cannot be trusted to design or control incubator programs meant to create their future competition. It makes no sense to let the same entities that profit from exclusivity also define equity. That’s like asking a wolf to design the henhouse. Virginia should instead empower outside partners — universities, HBCUs, community colleges, and Cooperative Extension programs — to deliver training through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). WIOA already funds job training, small-business development, and reentry programs. **Virginia already has schools ready for this work: **Roanoke College – B.S. in Cannabis Science / Cannabis Social Justice & Policy **University of Lynchburg – Certificate in Cannabis Healthcare and Medicine **Piedmont Virginia Community College – Cannabis Certification in Horticulture & Agriculture **Virginia Tech – Cannabis Science, Industry, and Culture **Radford University – Cannabis and Natural Products Chemistry **George Mason University – Cannabis Policy and Public Health Virginia can also look to Oaksterdam University in Oakland, California — the first accredited cannabis college in the U.S. Its programs in business, cultivation, law, and policy could guide curriculum design. Integrating similar coursework here would let participants earn credentials while completing on-the-job training (OJT) under state oversight. Graduates should continue an “each-one-teach-one” model — mentoring and training the next generation to keep the program alive. The program must not focus only on cultivation, processing, or retail. Real equity must include ancillary and technology businesses — software, logistics, testing, compliance, packaging, and marketing — where many justice-impacted Virginians already have skills. This legislation must be binding, not optional. All commitments — funding, technical assistance, mentorship, and reporting — should use “shall,” not may. Funds must remain non-reverting and protected in perpetuity, ensuring equity isn’t temporary or political. Key safeguards: *Public reporting of spending and outcomes. *Front-loaded funding so equity applicants can compete from day one. *Bans on license flipping and predatory investment. *Inclusion of co-ops, collectives, and ancillary ventures. There are hundreds of Virginians like me who lived the consequences of cannabis criminalization. We are ready to contribute, to mentor, and to build — but we can’t if equity remains just a promise on paper. Please make sure the law says “shall” and protects equity in perpetuity before a single dollar of retail profit is collected. Virginia’s justice-impacted citizens deserve to see the Commonwealth get this right from day one.

Because the cannabis industry remains largely cash-based, operators face heightened security risks and often become targets for theft. To help address this, I strongly recommend that any forthcoming legalization framework include provisions enabling the use of digital payment systems—specifically Bitcoin—as a secure and transparent option. Integrating Bitcoin into the regulatory framework would not only improve financial safety and access for operators, but also enhance transparency and accountability through blockchain-based tracking.

The presentations have well developed many of the issues so I submit my comments in writing and withdraw my request to speak. Including an organic certification is important to me. Expansive social equity categories with high incumbent conversion fees and low license fees for small businesses please. Taskforces on labeling, growth regulations, etc., should include members of the "illicit market. " mjadvocacyva@gmail.com

I’m Dr. Dawn Adams, a nurse practitioner, small business owner, medical provider specializing in cannabis medicine, and former member of this body. As Virginia moves toward adult use and expanded sales, the Cannabis Control Authority’s oversight responsibilities are growing rapidly. I want to share concern about how the Authority is developing and implementing policies and mandates for the medical program. From the perspective of those of us providing care, there has been little meaningful stakeholder involvement and very limited communication about the decisions being made. Virginia has long valued open, collaborative policymaking. The medical program, and the Authority itself, would be stronger with greater transparency, accountability, and inclusion of the clinicians and patients who live with these policies every day. Thank you for your time and for your continued commitment to good governance in the Commonwealth.

Dear Chairman Krizek, I would like to express my appreciation to the speakers today, with a special thanks to JM Pedini, who has been educating the people of Virginia for years. They have been our eyes and ears and our brains, because many of the patients don't understand as much as they do. I have learned so much from them over the past 5 years of my experience with cannabis legalization and medical use. Also a big thank you to ngiste Abebe, who is an excellent representative for the industry, knowledgable and well abled to communicate a difficult subject to even us who aren't as learned. And finally, thank you to Dr. Peace. She is a pioneer among doctors and has helped patients for years.

Restrict anything to do with marijuana shops/vendors. As a non-smoker with respiratory issues it’s reprehensible to have to smell the drug when walking on public property and in public commercial stores. Parts if VA/PWC looking looking like Baltimore City and NYC slums with the infestation of marijuana on public streets and it’s sending the wrong message to young influential children.

Thank you for your dedication to shaping this industry. My purpose today is to present a vision for a recreational market that is truly open, equitable, safe, and built for the long-term success of businesses. As a farmer, market gardener, and former retail owner, I understand the value of an open, equitable market and the importance of integrity and passion. The current trajectory for cannabis threatens to create a system of monopolies, where a limited number of licenses become valuable commodities to be resold, rather than earned. This lottery-style capture of licenses stifles innovation, shuts out passionate small businesses, and limits economic opportunity for our communities. If we want this market to succeed, we need A Tiered, Open Market, it must be built on principles of equality and open access. We can look to states like Michigan, which has an unlimited, tiered system based on plant count, or to our own successful craft brewery industry. Both models promote a competitive and innovative market without arbitrary caps. We must apply this same approach to licensing fees. For a small brewery producing up to 500 barrels, the annual license fee is only $380. VA hemp license are just $150 and unlimited availability. For this market to be truly open, fees must be comparable to these other agricultural and craft industries. States like New York, Washington, and Michigan have fees ranging from a few hundred dollars to no more than 5k. We can apply this blueprint by creating a tiered licensing system with unlimited licenses: Unlimited Nursery Tier: For breeders and genetics, allowing direct-to-consumer seed and clone sales, could feature under 1% thc stipulation. Unlimited Breeder Tier: For plant breeders testing, growing and creating seeds and cuttings, with a 1,000 sq ft canopy, allowing a vertically integrated system, direct-to-consumer sale Small-Scale Cultivator Tier: For operations up to 3,000 sq ft. allow for a vertically integrated system Mid-Scale Cultivator Tier: For operations up to 10,000 sq ft. Washington state license fees are $1,480 new, 1200 renew, a reasonable model. This approach is invaluable for boosting our communities. More small businesses lead to more local jobs and economic activity. When you support a small business, a significant portion of that money stays in the local economy. If you must limit licenses, entities should be restricted to only one 10,000 sq ft license with no ability to combine licenses, no stacking. The decisions you make today will define this industry for years to come. An open market creates more businesses in more areas, boosting local communities and creating unlimited opportunity. Thank you for your time. The path forward is clear: an open, equal, and innovative market for all businesses.

1. Remove Restrictive Cannabis Conviction Eligibility Requirements for Micro License/Social Equity Status 2. Implement Enhanced Documentation Requirements for Felony Cannabis Convictions 3. Implement Robust "True Party of Interest" Requirements 4. Prioritize Social Equity/Micro Licensees and Prevent Medical Marijuana First-Mover Advantage 5. Establish Comprehensive Market Structure Supporting Small Business Competition 6. Financial Structure Supporting Equity 7. Implementation Timeline Recommendations Virginia has a unique opportunity to learn from both the successes and failures of other states' cannabis legalization efforts. The JLARC study provides clear guidance that social equity must be the priority, not an afterthought. By removing artificial geographic restrictions on cannabis conviction eligibility, implementing robust True Party of Interest requirements, and preventing medical marijuana companies from gaining unfair first-mover advantages, Virginia can create a cannabis market that truly serves justice and economic opportunity. The time for half-measures has passed. Virginia must commit to authentic equity that provides real opportunities for those harmed by prohibition, rather than symbolic programs that benefit well-connected actors at the expense of the communities most impacted by the War on Drugs.

Before the 2026 legislative session, we write to offer Fairfax County’s input regarding possible Cannabis Control legislation.