If you’re looking for a way to get your hands on weed without having to grow it yourself, there are a few Virginia recreational dispensaries worth checking out. These shops are a great place to get a variety of products and support local businesses at the same time.

There are also several stores that sell store merch, which is great for gifting!

Locations

Currently, there are no retail dispensaries that sell recreational marijuana in Virginia. It takes time to set up a business and to get the necessary licenses.

Until that happens, there are other options, including medical dispensaries and gifting shops. Many of these shops offer marijuana as a thank you gift for customers buying something from the store, such as clothing or art.

These gifts can be helpful if you’re not sure how much you want to spend, or if you’re not sure what kind of strains to purchase. For example, some indica cannabis strains are relaxing and calming, while others can be uplifting without being too stimulating.

In addition to providing a variety of strains, many dispensaries also carry products that are infused with various terpene blends. Different terpenes affect your body differently and can make the weed more or less energizing.

Products

There are three main categories of products at dispensaries in Virginia: cannabis oils, edibles and vaporizers. They can come in various forms, such as cartridges, gummies and waxes.

While the medical marijuana industry has been thriving in the state, it isn’t quite ready to launch recreational sales. Currently, only registered patients with a written certification from a physician can purchase medical marijuana products at government-approved dispensaries.

To qualify as a medical marijuana patient, you need to be diagnosed by a doctor and deemed to have one of several qualifying medical conditions. Once you’ve obtained your certification, you can then shop at the state’s four medical marijuana dispensaries.

As the state’s first commercial MMJ industry gets closer to opening, a new survey of unregulated THC products shows inconsistencies and errors in labeling can make it difficult for consumers to dose effectively. The research was conducted by the advocacy group Virginians for Safe Cannabis. The organization collected samples from businesses around the state, including some in Richmond.

Pricing

The price of marijuana sold at virginia recreational dispensaries is dependent on a number of factors. These include location, product, and the taxation of the sale.

For example, medical marijuana patients who use cannabis to treat chronic pain are paying upwards of $600 a month for a one-month supply. Despite these costs, some patients say they’re sticking with the program for its benefits.

Among these are its ability to control pain, and help patients live more fulfilling lives. The state’s legal cannabis market has also expanded to include a wider range of products, including edibles, and more potent oils.

The Virginia Cannabis Control Authority is implementing a new licensing process for recreational marijuana businesses. Its priority will be given to social equity applicants, defined as those who own 66% or more of the business, have a prior cannabis conviction, live in an area that has been disproportionately affected by marijuana enforcement or economic distress, or graduated from a Virginia HBCU. They will also receive a waiver of a percentage of their application fees.

Taxes

Virginia has a medical marijuana program, but it has yet to implement a statewide market for recreational cannabis. Its legislature passed a bill in 2021 that would allow for sales, but the legislation must be reenacted before it can go into effect.

In the meantime, localities can impose a percentage-of-price or general sales tax on retail purchases. These taxes can range from 5-9%, depending on local law.

The state also imposes a 21% statewide excise tax on all retail sales of adult-use marijuana. The tax proceeds are put towards pre-K programs, substance abuse treatment and a newly established Cannabis Equity Reinvestment Fund to support communities that have been disproportionately affected by drug enforcement and criminalization.

While the potential revenue from recreational marijuana has not been fully analyzed, MJBizDaily estimates that states that have a statewide market for at least three years could bring in an estimated $2-$10 million in excise tax revenue. However, that number will likely be lower in the early years of a commercial market.