“The governor’s decision leaves the commonwealth exactly where we have been since 2021: with an unchecked illicit market hurting our communities, harming our youth, and putting adults at risk," said one critic.

Gov. Abigail Spanberger vetoed legislation that would have created Virginia’s cannabis retail market, halting a yearslong effort.

“The governor’s decision leaves the commonwealth exactly where we have been since 2021: with an unchecked illicit market hurting our communities, harming our youth, and putting…