Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, a Republican, vetoed two key Democratic legislative priorities on Thursday. The bills in question aimed to kickstart recreational retail sales of marijuana next year and implement a minimum wage increase. The move, which was met with criticism from Democratic lawmakers, was not unexpected as Youngkin had previously expressed disinterest in both sets of bills.
In 2021, Virginia became the first Southern state to legalize marijuana for adult possession and cultivation. However, the state has yet to establish retail sales due to shifts in political power and policy differences. Advocates argue that this delay is fueling the illicit market, while opponents raise concerns about health and safety implications of expanding access to the drug.
Under the vetoed bills, applications for cultivating, testing, processing, and selling marijuana would have opened on September 1, with retail sales slated to begin on May 1, 2025. The products would have been taxed at a rate of up to 11.625%. The legislation had support from industry interests but faced opposition from religious and socially conservative groups.
Regarding the minimum wage bills, Youngkin cited concerns about market freedom and economic competitiveness. The proposed legislation aimed to raise the minimum wage from $12 per hour to $15 by January 1, 2026. Democrats and advocates argued that the increase was necessary to help working families cope with rising costs.
Youngkin also vetoed three other bills, including one that sought to remove a farmworker exemption from the minimum wage law. The governor's actions come as the General Assembly adjourned its regular session, with plans to reconvene in April to consider Youngkin's proposed amendments and potential veto overrides.
While the marijuana and wage bills faced opposition mostly along party lines, any attempt to override the vetoes would require a 2/3 vote in both chambers, which are narrowly controlled by Democrats. Youngkin's vetoes follow the collapse of a deal to bring the NHL's Washington Capitals and NBA's Washington Wizards to Alexandria, with the teams' majority owner deciding to remain in D.C.
