Authority: §§4.1-601 through 4.1-1503, Code of Virginia.

A. Out of the amounts appropriated in this item, $4,028,024 the first year and $4,028,024 the second year from the general fund and $2,192,415 the first year and $2,192,415 the second year from nongeneral funds is provided for the general operations of the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority.

B. The Director, Department of Planning and Budget, is authorized to transfer up to $2,500,000 from any general fund balance originally appropriated in Item 479 U., Chapter 552, 2021 Acts of Assembly, Special Session I to the Cannabis Control Authority to cover one-time costs of a seed-to-sale tracking system.

C. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 4-3.02 of this act, the State Comptroller may authorize an interest-free treasury loan for the Cannabis Control Authority to fund costs associated with the creation of a retail cannabis market in the Commonwealth consistent with the provisions of House Bill 2485 and Senate Bill 970 of the 2025 Session of the General Assembly. The amount of the treasury loan may include costs as estimated to be incurred by the Authority and the Department of Taxation for the administration, regulation, enforcement, and oversight of a retail cannabis market in accordance with House Bill 2485 and Senate Bill 970 of the 2025 Session of the General Assembly. The Secretary of Finance may extend the repayment plan for any such interest-free treasury loan for a period of longer than twelve months as needed to support Authority costs associated with the administration and regulation of a retail cannabis market. Intended repayment of the treasury loan is with revenues anticipated from fines, fees, and taxes collected pursuant to the legislation.