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Virginia Administrative Code
Title 3. Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Control
3/28/2023

3VAC10. Virginia Cannabis Control Authority

VAC AGENCY NO. 10

VRGINIA CANNABIS CONTROL AUTHORITY

AGENCY SUMMARY

The Virginia Cannabis Control Authority (“CCA” or “Authority”) is responsible for the regulation of legal cannabis in the Commonwealth. Code of Virginia, Title 4.1, Subtitle II, Chapter 6. This mission includes potential regulation of any future adult-use retail market created by the General Assembly and, starting in Fiscal Year 2024, regulatory oversight and control of the Commonwealth’s existing medical cannabis program currently administered by the Board of Pharmacy.  In the event the General Assembly creates an adult-use retail market, the CCA currently is empowered to prescribe and enforce regulations and conditions under which retail marijuana and retail marijuana products are possessed, sold, transported, distributed, and delivered.

The Authority is an independent political subdivision of the Commonwealth, exclusive of the legislative, executive, or judicial branches of state government. A five-person Board of Directors guides and is ultimately responsible for the governance of the Authority.  A Chief Executive Officer manages the day-to-day work of the CCA. The Governor appoints and the General Assembly confirms both the board and the CEO. A career, nonpolitical staff of employees reports to the CEO and, via the CEO, to the board. Code of Virginia, Title 4.1, Subtitle II, Chapter 6.

The General Assembly’s bipartisan, bicameral Cannabis Oversight Commission, which is charged with oversight of cannabis-related legislation, must review the CCA’s initial regulations before they are adopted.

The CCA is advised by the Cannabis Public Health Advisory Council (“Health Council”), a 21-member advisory group comprised of health experts.  The Governor and General Assembly appoint members of the Health Council and the Secretary of Health and Human Resources chairs the group. The Health Council’s responsibilities include assessing and monitoring public health issues, trends, and impacts related to cannabis.  It also must approve in advance all public health-related regulations the CCA intends to issue. CCA staff, particularly the statutorily-prescribed public health staffer, support the work of the Health Council, establishing agendas for its meetings, providing the research and analysis necessary for the council’s operations, and liaising with the Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Resources. Code of Virginia, Title 4.1, Subtitle II, Chapter 6.

In addition to its rulemaking and regulatory enforcement roles on legal cannabis matters, the CCA also is responsible, as directed by the General Assembly, for creating and disseminating guidance and other resources on how to engage with cannabis legally and safely. The CCA’s public health and safety responsibilities also include development and implementation of a safe driving campaign that highlights the dangers of drug-impaired driving.

The Authority operates under the supervision of the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security. The CCA can be contacted at info@cca.virginia.gov, and it is located at 333 East Franklin Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219.

Rev. 08/2022

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