Save Virginia Hemp- We need your help!

July 1st, 2023 was the last day in business for many legal cannabis growers and retailers in the state of Virginia. The 2018 Farm Bill assured that growers who followed due process would be able to legally sell cannabis products. However, the state has since revoked this right. Multiple farmers and small business owners have spent their hard-earned money and countless hours building companies that would assure safe, legal, and healing cannabis products to the people of Virginia. These products include not only psychoactive THC but CBD oils, capsules, and topicals which are proven to aid in many ailments previously healed by pharmaceuticals. These products are being used to help veterans, the elderly and the physically and mentally impaired. THC from Washington D.C. and other states is still being shipped into our state. Many of these products are unregulated and contain unsafe ingredients. The hemp growers in Virginia are seeking to produce controlled and pure products for those only over the age of 21. Many of these growers went into this business to boost their local economies and create jobs in the state of Virginia. These companies have created countless jobs that are now at risk. The retraction of these rights will not get rid of THC in the state of Virginia, it will simply prevent Virginia from reaping many of the medicinal and financial benefits.

The goal is to raise funds for attorney representation so that these growers can come together and fight to continue to run their businesses. We ask anyone who would like to see legally regulated cannabis produced in Virginia to donate today.

Out-of-State Corporations:

VS.

Virginians:

We need all the help we can get to stop this extremely bad bill. July 1st, 2023 will be the last day of business for thousands across the Commonwealth of Virginia as Governor Youngkin and his administration have decided to favor an out-of-state Marijuana Monopoly Cartel over Virginia farmers and small business owners.

The goal is to raise funds to pay for an attorney to represent an injunction that could either delay or completely stop these regulations from being enforced by the Commonwealth of Virginia.

With the stroke of a pen, Gov. Youngkin will decimate the federally legal hemp industry in Virginia.

See the recent Economic Impact Report Here

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5f3ea76247ba7a5c09b10baf/t/640bc40f4058bb30d2a0d266/1678492688184/An+Economic+Impact+Analysis+of+Cannabinoid+Retail+in+Virginia+-+Whitney+Economics+03-09-23+Public+Facing.pdf

Why you may ask? Well, Jushi Inc, Columbia Care, GreenThumb Industries, and Dharma Pharmaceuticals toss hundreds of thousands around making it rain all over Youngkin's administration.

When you see the dispensaries called RISE, GLeaf, The Cannabist, and Beyond/Hello pop up around Virginia, know that those companies run a monopoly in your town.

Clearly, the monopoly players aren't afraid to admit their cards either. In 2022, the Marijuana Cartel couldn't find their knockout punch, but here we are in 2023 with SB903, supported by the majority of our lawmakers and a Governor willing to knowingly create & expand monopolistic operations while accepting donations in the face of destroying small businesses.

"We view Virginia as one of the best licenses in cannabis,' Jim Cacioppo, the CEO of Jushi told Forbes in November, citing the company's monopoly over sales in Northern Virginia. 'When you go adult use, sales could triple overnight'

Article

Important facts to note about SB903:

1) 2mg of total THC cap per package (this removes 90% of hemp derived products and defines them as Marijuana)

Examples: Full Scectrum CBD, Broad Spectrum, Hemp Derived Gummies, Flower, Dog Treats, and list goes on.

2) Industrial Hemp re-defined as Marijuana

3) $10,000 per day penalties with Jail Time potential

4) $2.2M in enforcement funds with 15 new Full-Time Enforcement Positions

5) Topical Products are now required to have a bittering agent. This is absurd. So when someone decides to never eat the lotion, it will taste bad? Or do they want us to burn our customer's skin? If we don't add the government's required ingredient, you are subject to $500 penalties per violation. Are you serious?

So here we are at the crossroads. Will Youngkin sign this terrible bill?

Or will he understand that $Billions of tax revenue are at stake, Farms, Retail Stores, Distributors, Livelihoods, and everything in between are at risk of being destroyed.

In the coming weeks, we will be updating everyone regularly and what you can do to help out our cause.

If you own a retail store, please print off the QR codes and ask that your customers spread the word.

If you are a customer, please understand that your products are in jeopardy.

This is not going to be a fun ride for anyone involved.

Let's unite together to fight the good fight and please call or email our Governor asking him to deny SB903 as it is currently written.

Gov. Youngkin's contact info can be found here Gov. Youngkin Contact Website here