ABC-Gaming Subcommittee

Tuesday, March 3, 2026·28m·▶ Watch / Listen

The ABC-Gaming Subcommittee advanced SB543, a marijuana and hemp enforcement bill, by an 8-to-1 vote over opposition from the Virginia Catholic Conference, while SB19 was tabled on a vote of 7 to 7 to 2.

Key Actions

·SB543 – Marijuana and hemp products; enforcementPassed

+ 1 more action

Controversies

THC potency caps in SB543

Tom of Torsha, representing the Virginia Catholic Conference, opposed SB543 as written and argued the bill should include language requiring THC potency caps, citing current THC potency levels of up to 90-plus percent and drawing a comparison to how high-potency distilled spirits are regulated in ABC stores. Senator Aird did not directly respond to this objection in the transcript, and the bill was reported over this opposition.

+ 1 more controversy

Notable Quotes

“Good afternoon, everyone. And welcome to the House of General Laws ABC Gaming Subcommittee. With the roll call at this time. Okay, we do have a quorum. The committee will go. At ease. Back on committee. Let me have your attention, please. All right, our first bill up is SB543, Senator. Aired. Thank you and good afternoon. Mr. Chair and members of the committee. As shared before you is Senate Bill 543. Before I begin discussing the bill further, there should be a small amendment that I'd you all to”
Senator Aird — Senator Aird, the patron of SB543, explained the policy rationale for expanding cannabis and hemp enforcement powers, arguing that the delay in establishing a retail market has allowed illicit activity to grow statewide.

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Votes

Voice vote to adopt amendment to SB543 clarifying that the $10,000 civil penalty for a false decal is per dayPassed

Motion by Delegate Douglas Price to report Senate Bill 543 as amendedPassed

Motion by Delegate Cole to lay SB19 on the tableNo Vote

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TranscriptPreview

Good afternoon, everyone. And welcome to the House of General Laws ABC Gaming Subcommittee. With the roll call at this time. Okay, we do have a quorum. The committee will go. At ease. Back on committee. Let me have your attention, please. All right, our first bill up is SB543, Senator. Aired. Thank you and good afternoon. Mr. Chair and members of the committee. As shared before you is Senate Bill 543. Before I begin discussing the bill further, there should be a small amendment that I'd like you all to adopt. All those in favor? Aye. Thank you so much. So, Mr. Chairman, this amendment clarifies that there is language in the bill that refers to a civil penalty of 10,000 doll. But we need for a false decal and we needed to clarify that this penalty is per day. And so you will see the language now clarified for displaying a false decal that it is both for being false or for being displayed or both per day. Ultimately, Mr. Chair and members of the committee, throughout this session, we've taken, as you know, the first steps to establishing a retail marketplace for adult use. Because we have…

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