Cannabis Market Bill Passes

Lawmakers approved the creation of a retail market to be run by the Cannabis Control Authority, which would begin operations on Jan. 1.

The legislation “creates a license structure, consumer protections, and a tax framework that allows the commonwealth to move from an illicit market to a regulated and safer system,” Del. Paul Krizek, a Democrat, said.

Lawmakers estimated that the tax revenue could exceed $400 million each year during the initial five-year period. It’s been legal to possess small amounts of cannabis since 2021, but this would be the first law enabling Virginians to sell it legally.

Gov. Abigail Spanberger, who has said she supports creating a retail cannabis market, is expected to sign the legislation.

Data Center Measures Debated

Lawmakers spent plenty of time in the recent General Assembly session talking about data centers. They eventually passed measures that could force data centers to pay higher electricity costs, limit their use of backup generators, and monitor the water they consume.

The Assembly did not agree on a two-year budget because, while the Senate voted to end a $1.6 billion annual tax break for the data center industry, the House did not. Lawmakers will address those differences in a special session that begins next month.

The chair of the Botetourt County Board of Supervisors said a planned data center could improve the region’s finances. “Google came here for three things: land, water, and energy,” Dr. Mac Scothorn said. “And they found that this was a better spot than any other place.”

Loudoun’s economic development chief insisted the county won’t allow an Amazon facility on a parcel of land in Ashburn, vowing to lie down “in front of bulldozers before we let data centers go there.” In Fairfax County, a coalition of environmental groups is taking steps to slow down the development of a proposed data center in Chantilly.

Storm Brings Damage, Darkness

Crews worked yesterday to restore power to more than 100,000 households statewide left in the dark by Monday’s powerful thunderstorms.

The storms were not as intense as forecasters had feared, but did deliver up to six inches of snow in parts of Southwest Virginia. Temperatures will be in the 20s this morning in parts of the state that were in the 70s on Monday.

Strong winds knocked over trees across the Commonwealth. A pair of townhomes was destroyed in Virginia Beach, while downed trees blocked roads and downed power lines in Central Virginia.

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➤ Fairfax County: The federal House Judiciary subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement asked Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano and Sheriff Stacey Kincaid to testify at an April 15 hearing into the county’s lack of cooperation with federal immigration authorities. (Details)

➤ Appomattox County: Landowners told the board of supervisors they oppose a proposal to build an electricity transmission line through the county. The 115-mile-long project would cross property owned by hundreds of people. (More)

➤ Virginia Beach: The two suspects in a March 7 shooting incident that injured six people near the oceanfront were granted a $25,000 secured bond. The incident allegedly started when a group tried to take away the gun another man was wearing as “a fashion statement,” and he opened fire. (Details)

➤ Statewide: Sen. Mark Warner, a former governor, will seek a fourth term in the U.S. Senate this fall. He leads a field of four other Democrats ahead of the Aug. 4 primary. (More)

➤ Harrisonburg: Todd Gilbert, a former Speaker of the House of Delegates who served briefly as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Virginia, was elected as General District Court Judge. (More)

➤ Milan, Italy: Evan Nichols of Haymarket helped the U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey Team capture a gold medal with a 6-2 win over Canada. It’s the second time Nichols has participated in the Winter Paralympics. (Details)

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➤ UVA baseball, ranked No. 9, visits Liberty today. The Cavaliers moved to 17-4 with a 6-4 home win over Georgetown yesterday. (Stats)

➤ Washington Wizards guard Trae Young left the team’s matchup with the Warriors early after he suffered a right quad contusion. (More)

➤ Longwood baseball’s Jon Howard was named Big South Player of the Week after hitting four home runs in games against George Mason and Gardner-Webb last week. (Details)

Yesterday’s Results: NBA | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAB | NCAASB | Soccer | World Baseball Classic | Tennis

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➤ Virginia’s Port Host Communities Revitalization Fund will spend more than $1.5 million to improve waterfront facilities in Portsmouth, Norfolk, and Newport News. (Details)

➤ Boeing, based in Arlington, won a $2.4 billion contract to build additional E-7 Wedgetail aircraft for the Air Force. (More)

➤ Blue Ridge Bankshares of Richmond announced that G. William Beale has retired as CEO. Harry Golliday will serve as interim CEO. (Details)

➤ Three years ago, The Flyover launched with 47 readers and a simple idea: deliver the news straight, without the spin. If that mission matters to you, would you make a contribution today to help us keep building it?  

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➤ The 2026 Virginia Governor’s Cup for best wine was won by Valley Road Vineyards for its 2023 Cabernet Franc Reserve. More than 156 producers took part in the competition, with more than 670 wines entered. (Details)

➤ The General Assembly passed three laws aimed at limiting the spread of invasive plant species in the Commonwealth. (More)

➤ A driver crashed through the wall of an auto parts shop in Chesterfield County after the Jeep’s accelerator reportedly became stuck. Nobody was hurt in the accident. (Photos)

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Which Virginia team do you think will last longest in the women’s NCAA tournament?

1. UVA
2. Virginia Tech
3. Richmond
4. James Madison

Tuesday’s Results:

Have you ever felt an earthquake? 

1. Yes 60%
2. No: 22%
3. Not yet!: 18%

What is the largest island wilderness chain on the U.S. eastern seaboard?

Show me the answer