HB 1989 Vetoed: Virginia Blocks Medical Cannabis Delivery Expansion

3 May, 2025

Governor Glenn Youngkin vetoed HB 1989, halting legislation that would have allowed medical cannabis deliveries to locations beyond a patient’s private residence. The bill, which passed with broad bipartisan support in both chambers of the General Assembly, also proposed updates to product labeling standards to make THC and CBD content more transparent for consumers.

Supporters of the bill aimed to improve patient access by permitting deliveries to locations such as:

• Temporary residences,
• Workplaces, and
• Licensed caregiver facilities.

These changes were seen as especially helpful for patients with limited mobility or inconsistent housing arrangements. The legislation included safeguards prohibiting delivery to schools, correctional facilities, military bases, and public gathering spots.

In his veto message, Governor Youngkin cited concerns about public safety and regulatory enforcement. He argued that allowing deliveries to businesses or shared spaces could increase risks of diversion, theft, or unintended access by minors. He emphasized that current rules already allow home deliveries under tightly controlled procedures and should remain in place.

The veto is part of a broader pattern from the governor, who has also rejected proposals to legalize adult-use cannabis sales, expand sentencing reform, and authorize limited use of psychedelics in a medical context. Despite the legal status of cannabis possession and home cultivation in Virginia, the absence of a regulated retail market continues to drive consumers toward an unlicensed market estimated to be worth nearly $3 billion annually.

With Governor Youngkin ineligible for reelection, attention is shifting toward the upcoming gubernatorial race. Candidates have already begun signaling sharply different positions on cannabis policy, suggesting that the future of reform in Virginia may hinge on the results of that election.