Republican Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin has vetoed two top Democratic legislative priorities. He announced vetoes Thursday to bills that would have created a retail marijuana market in Virginia and raised the state's minimum wage to $15 per hour. The decision was met with criticism from Democrats and advocates of marijuana legalization.
"The proposed legalization of retail marijuana in the Commonwealth endangers Virginians' health and safety," Gov. Glenn Youngkin said in his statement. He believes that legalizing marijuana for recreational use would have negative consequences for the state.
On top of seven vetoes, Youngkin signed 100 bills into law covering a vast swath of topics. However, his decision to veto the marijuana legalization bill has sparked controversy and debate among lawmakers and residents.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin vetoed five bills on Thursday, including one to establish a retail market for marijuana and another that would raise the minimum wage. The governor rejected legislation that would have created a legal, adult-use retail marijuana market by 2025.
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin vetoed legislation Thursday that would have put Virginia on the path to a $15 per hour minimum wage and set up a process for creating a legal marijuana market in the state. His decision has been met with mixed reactions from different groups.
Critics of Youngkin's veto argue that legalizing marijuana would have generated revenue for the state and created jobs. They believe that regulating the cannabis market would have also helped curb the illicit marijuana trade.
"The only protection Youngkin's veto provides is to the illicit market that has ballooned during his time office," said an anonymous source. The veto has raised concerns about the impact on the black market and the enforcement of marijuana laws in Virginia.
Overall, Gov. Glenn Youngkin's decision to veto the marijuana legalization bill has stirred up controversy and divided opinions in the state. Advocates for marijuana reform are disappointed by the governor's stance, while opponents of legalization see it as a victory for public health and safety.
