FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 18, 2019
Virginia Cannabis Industry Association (VCIA) to Host Legislative Update and 2020 Session Preview
RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia Cannabis Industry Association (VCIA) will host a series of regional legislative forums over the next several weeks. Discussions will include an update about the Virginia cannabis industry and how outcomes of the November elections of all 140 seats of the Virginia General Assembly may affect the opportunities and challenges of this nascent industry.
The second forum will take place in Norfolk Virginia on Thursday, Sept. 19, at Gather Norfolk, 500 E. Main Street, 16th floor, Norfolk VA 23510, from 5:30-7 p.m.
VCIA will be joined by Attorney General Mark Herring, who will discuss his vision for the regulation of Cannabis in the Commonwealth. “The time is right,” said Herring in a recent Op-Ed in the Daily Press, “to begin working toward legal and regulated adult use.”
Attendees will also have a chance to meet and speak with Delegate Steve Heretick who represents the 79th district, and Jenn Michele Pedini, Executive Director of Virginia NORML, who will participate in a preview of potential 2020 cannabis-related legislation. Stakeholders and other interested parties are encouraged to come and network with other cannabis professionals, investors, prospective applicants, and vendors and learn about the benefits of joining VCIA. The event is free, but registration is required. VCIA has been active in Virginia’s efforts to develop the regulated cannabis industry. Join us and learn more about how you can be involved, too.
“If States aren’t acting now to establish regulatory frameworks for the cultivation, manufacture, sale, and distribution of this commodity, we are likely to see large industry entrants create that framework for them in a few years when marijuana is descheduled by Congress,” says VCIA Executive Director, Rebecca Gwilt. “Now is the time for industry to get involved in the process and to help educate lawmakers and citizens about how to build a safe, effective program that benefits patients and the Commonwealth.”
Gwilt says that active stakeholders must stay involved in the process to keep moving the program forward, whether it’s incremental or fast-moving change.
ABOUT VCIA
The Virginia Cannabis Industry Association represents members’ best interests to advance legislation, regulations and implementation in support of Virginia’s regulated cannabis industry. The mission includes bringing the highest quality, safest and compliant medical cannabis products and services to consumers in Virginia to improve their quality of life, comfort and well-being. VCIA’s vision is to provide a single voice for the membership, conveying the collective interests of pharmaceutical processors, ancillary businesses and other stakeholders in Virginia’s regulated cannabis industry. The vision includes collaboration with state and local governments and the community to assist in education, and to build the industry in a sustainable manner in a competitive, well-regulated market which will compel our members to cultivate, manufacture, and sell the finest products available.
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MEDIA CONTACT
Rebecca Gwilt, Esq., Executive Director
[email protected]
virginiacannabisindustry.org