REGULATORY UPDATES behavioral and developmental health services department and 5 % to public health initiatives.
• Local governments could not opt out of allowing marijuana businesses to operate in their area.
• Delivery services would be allowed.
• Serving sizes would be capped at 10 mg. THC, with no more than 100 mg. THC per package.
• Existing medical cannabis operators could enter the adult-use market if they pay a licensing conversion fee that is set at $ 15 million in the Senate bill and $ 10 million in the House measure.
• Cannabis businesses would have to establish labor peace agreements with workers.
• A legislative commission would be directed to study adding on-site consumption licenses and microbusiness cannabis event permits that would allow licensees to conduct sales at venues like farmers markets or pop-ups. It would also investigate the possibility of the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority becoming involved in marijuana regulations and enforcement.
The third bill, HB 75, aims to enact what is known as“ Ryan’ s law.” This is a policy change providing that patients with terminal illnesses who are registered cannabis patients can access medical marijuana at health facilities such as hospitals.
The chamber approved that legislation from Del. Karen Keys-Gamarra( D), in a 95−1 vote, according to reports in Marijuana Moment.
It would require healthcare facilities to establish policies“ to address circumstances under which an eligible patient would be permitted to use medical cannabis.”
Under the House legislation, healthcare facilities could suspend medical cannabis allowances if a federal agency takes enforcement action on the issue or issues a rule or notification expressly prohibiting use of medical cannabis in health facility.
Florida Supreme Court Dismisses Recreational Marijuana Measure
by KRYSTINA SKIBO
The Florida Supreme Court decided against considering the ballot text of a proposed constitutional amendment for adult-use recreational marijuana, which the state says failed to meet signature requirements for the 2026 ballot.
The state elections website only lists 783,592 verified signatures for the marijuana petition. It needed 880,062.
On Feb. 4, all the Supreme Court Justices – except Jorge Labarga – signed the order canceling the oral argument and dismissing the case. While specific details of the dismissal were left out of the order, this deals a huge blow to the cannabis industry in failing to bring a recreational marijuana market to Florida.
The group argued that the state’ s constitution reads that the court“ shall” review ballot language, and that the result of pending lawsuits could give the ballot measure enough signatures to meet the state’ s requirements, according to the Tallahassee Democrat. The court’ s mandate is limited to ensuring the ballot summary and title are clear and not misleading and comply with the state’ s single-subject requirement.
“ From my perspective as a soon-to-be MMTC operator actively preparing to enter the Florida market, this moment reinforces a few important realities: Florida’ s cannabis framework is already one of the most regulated in the country, and any expansion— whether medical or adult-use— will require careful implementation, strong compliance infrastructure and clear guardrails,” says Jasmine Johnson, CEO of GŪD Essence, a cannabis products provider.
“ For operators building now, the focus remains on serving patients responsibly, investing in compliant facilities and planning for multiple possible regulatory outcomes rather than assuming a single path forward.”
This legal showdown underscores broader tensions in state policy and direct democracy as advocacy groups push for cannabis reform while facing tightened procedural scrutiny and court-mandated signature standards. www. beveragewholesaler. com Summer 2026 • Bevearge Wholesaler 23