Cannabis Lobbying Begins in Virginia

Richmond-based government relations firm KVCF Solutions announced the formation of CannabisVA, an organization that will focus on promoting a “favorable and responsible business environment for pharma-related cannabis activities in Virginia.”

Steve Baril, managing director for KCVF, said the group will focus on the medical and economic opportunities the cannabis industry could bring to Virginia, while giving some cover to people interested in the issue who may be apprehensive about promoting products that are technically banned by federal law.

State legislators are in the process of approving five pharmaceutical dispensaries that will offer CBD and THC-A oils.

The facilities — scheduled to open next year — will be Virginia’s first government-sanctioned cannabis-growing operations selling oils to any patient who has a certification form from a doctor and registers with the Virginia Board of Pharmacy.