The James City County Board of Supervisors recently discussed potential regulations for retail cannabis sales at a business meeting on October 27th. Deputy County Attorney Liz Parman outlined options the county may adopt in response to recent state changes allowing retail sales, noting that the act gives the Board three non-zoning ordinance options to regulate potential retail sales in the county, including restricting cannabis consumption in public places, setting hours of sale, and imposing a local tax on retail marijuana sales. The meeting included board discussion about limiting retail cannabis sales hours, with 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, called a reasonable place to start during the discussion. Parman said she would bring the ordinances to the Board at its Nov. 17 meeting.
The Virginia General Assembly adopted the Cannabis Control Act during its 2026 special session, authorizing regulated retail marijuana sales beginning July 1, 2027, Parman said. She opened the discussion by outlining what the county may regulate under the Cannabis Control Act, including the option to prohibit consumption and offering of marijuana products in local public parks, playgrounds, public streets and sidewalks. The Board indicated it would adopt those restrictions. (1:49:27)
During subsequent discussion, Parman told the board that the state will require and issue licenses to businesses authorized to sell retail marijuana. During the discussion, in response to a question about vape shops whose local permits prohibit such sales, it was confirmed that they would need a state license, and that the state framework would override the local permit. During the discussion, 250 stores across the state was cited as a figure expected to grow over time, and applications were said to begin in February. (1:58:04)
The board then turned to taxes. During the discussion, the cigarette tax was raised as a comparison, and County Administrator Scott Stevens said managers in the region had talked and most favored recommending that the county set the maximum rate, though individual localities can make a different choice. It was noted during the discussion that the statute requires a local sales tax of at least 1% and no more than 3.5%, and there was support for the 3.5% maximum. (1:59:12)
Parman said she would bring the ordinances to the board at its Nov. 17 meeting, noting that the county was well ahead of the July 1, 2027, retail sales start date. Additional information regarding the ordinances had not been posted at the time of this writing. (2:00:26)
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