Republican Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin vetoed two Democratic legislative priorities related to marijuana sales and minimum wage increases. The bills would have allowed recreational retail sales of marijuana to begin next year and mandated a minimum wage increase. Youngkin stated that he did not think the minimum wage bill was needed and expressed concerns about setting up retail marijuana sales, pointing to adverse effects seen in other states that have legalized the drug. Currently, home cultivation and adult sharing of marijuana are legal in Virginia, and patients can purchase medical cannabis with a written certification from a health care provider. The bills would have started taking applications for cultivating, testing, processing, and selling marijuana in preparation for the market to open in 2025.
The marijuana legislation in Virginia has faced challenges due to shifts in partisan power and policy differences. Despite Democrats leading the charge for legalization in 2021, subsequent Republican control in the House of Delegates has hindered progress on setting up legal recreational sales. Advocates for the legislation argue that it would help combat the illicit market and generate tax revenue, while opponents have raised concerns about health, safety, and other negative impacts associated with expanding access to marijuana. The bills were supported by industry interests and opposed by religious and socially conservative groups. While there has been some Republican legislative support for legalizing recreational sales, bills to do so have failed in recent years.
Youngkin also vetoed legislation related to increasing the minimum wage in Virginia. The bills would have raised the current $12-per-hour minimum wage to $13.50 in 2025 and to $15 in 2026. Youngkin argued that the legislation would harm market freedom and economic competitiveness, raising costs on families and small businesses and jeopardizing jobs. Democrats and advocates for the wage increase have argued that it would help working families afford basic necessities and keep up with inflation. The minimum wage legislation has been a priority for Democrats since 2020, with incremental increases established up to $12, with further bumps requiring another Assembly vote.
In addition to the marijuana and wage bills, Youngkin vetoed three other pieces of legislation, including one that would have removed an exemption for farmworkers from the state’s minimum wage law. Another bill related to felony marijuana convictions would have required sentencing reviews for approximately 315 individuals. Youngkin highlighted concerns about violent felony offenders being eligible for a reduced sentence under this proposal. The governor also vetoed a bill related to evidence considered in certain workers’ compensation claims, citing concerns about creating an imbalance in favor of one party. The General Assembly will meet again in April to consider Youngkin’s proposed amendments to legislation and potentially override any vetoes.
The marijuana legislation had primarily advanced along party lines, while the minimum wage bills passed strictly on party lines, suggesting that an override attempt would likely fail due to the narrow Democratic control in both chambers. Youngkin’s announcement of the vetoes followed the collapse of a deal to bring professional sports teams to Alexandria, indicating potential challenges in achieving his legislative priorities. The governor’s actions reflect ongoing partisan divisions in Virginia’s legislature and differing viewpoints on issues related to marijuana legalization and minimum wage increases. The state will continue to grapple with these complex policy debates as lawmakers navigate conflicting interests and priorities.
