Virginia Lawmakers Approve Cannabis Resentencing Bill and Send It to Governor

Virginia's legislative chambers have passed a landmark cannabis resentencing bill, SB 62, now awaiting action from Governor Abigail Spanberger. The legislation aims to provide automatic hearings for individuals still incarcerated or under supervision for marijuana-related offenses committed before July 1, 2021—the date when personal possession and home cultivation of cannabis became legal in the state. The Senate's narrow 21-19 vote on March 6, 2026, marked a decisive moment in the state's ongoing efforts to address the lingering impacts of outdated marijuana laws

Advocacy groups such as the Last Prisoner Project have long championed this reform, emphasizing the need to correct past punishments that no longer align with current law. "The legislation guarantees automatic hearings for eligible marijuana cases and extends potential relief to people who are still incarcerated, under supervision or adjudicated as juveniles," the group stated, highlighting the bill's potential to bring real change rather than just symbolic reform. The measure comes after a similar effort was vetoed last year by then-Governor Glenn Youngkin, but this time the bill's fate rests with Governor Spanberger, who has until April 13 to sign, veto, or allow it to become law without her signature

Despite Virginia's legalization of personal cannabis possession and home cultivation several years ago, many individuals remain caught in the justice system under older statutes. Lawmakers are also working on separate measures to establish adult-use cannabis sales, but the current bill directly addresses those still serving sentences for now-legal conduct. The disconnect between legislative progress and the lived reality for some Virginians underscores the importance of the current proposal

From the OG Lab newsroom perspective, this development signals a significant shift in how states can move beyond symbolic cannabis reforms to address the real-world consequences of prohibition. The outcome in Virginia could set a precedent for other states, highlighting the need for comprehensive cannabis justice that includes resentencing and expungement. As the April 13 deadline approaches, industry stakeholders and advocates will be watching closely to see if Virginia will truly bring its cannabis policies in line with its laws and values