NORFOLK, Va. — A bill passed this week in the Virginia Senate could add regulations to the sale of hemp derived products, but opponents argue the bill goes too far.

A hemp task force led by the Youngkin administration recently recommended creating a registration system for businesses that sell hemp products. Legislation has been introduced to do just that, requiring businesses to pay $1,000 to register and creating the possibility of $10,000 fines for retailers who break the rules.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) - On Saturday, Sept. 10, the Virginia Hemp Coalition and the Commonwealth Collective hosted its first ever Virginia Cannabis Freedom Festival.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (CBS19 NEWS) – Charlottesville is hosting a Virginia Cannabis Freedom Festival, presented by the Virginia Hemp Coalition and Commonwealth Collective.

The event is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 10 from 2 P.M. to 10 P.M.

Virginia hemp stakeholders say a budget bill now before Gov. Glenn Youngkin would unnecessarily restrict the purchase of hemp foods, beverages and dietary supplements to those 21 and older, based on language about THC in the measure.

It’s about relieving pain and getting to sleep, building homes, creating long-lasting textiles and limitless rope, making shoes, bioplastics, insulation, jewelry, biofuel, high protein powders, CBD and THC, veggie burgers, tea, coffee and a world of other drinks.

(The Center Square) – After Virginia House and Senate conferees reached a budget deal, some advocacy groups are speaking out against the last-minute addition of language that would add a new marijuana crime to the books.

“The government wants to protect Big Pharma,” Amatucci said, referring to the retail purchasing power of national medical marijuana companies and the donations made to legislators. “Follow the money on this, because it's all in plain view for everyone to see.”

RICHMOND — Many small cannabis entrepreneurs say large companies are jockeying to lock them out of the industry and have funding that gives them more access to lawmakers.

“Small businesses are the backbone of the country,” said Sarah Grant, general manager of The Dispensary in Richmond.

Many small cannabis entrepreneurs say large companies are jockeying to lock them out of the industry and have funding that gives them more access to lawmakers.

RICHMOND, Va. — Many small cannabis entrepreneurs say large companies are jockeying to lock them out of the industry and have funding that gives them more access to lawmakers.

The Virginia Hemp Coalition (VHC) has said the measure would put Virginia businesses at a significant competitive advantage in the hemp economy, and mean millions of dollars in losses by retailers of hemp products in the state.

RICHMOND, Va. -- A vote by the General Assembly on Wednesday may significantly change how marijuana is criminalized, and how the hemp industry operates. The General Assembly is back for "Veto Day" and one bill many have their eyes on is SB591.

Family-owned Garrett Farms, located in view of Interstate 81 near Salem, planted 1,700 hemp plants, tended with the help of Hill’s father, in 2019. That was shortly after a change in federal farming regulations legalized cultivation of hemp as a distinct crop from its intoxicating counterpart, the cannabis plant.

NORFOLK, Va. - Gov. Youngkin has proposed banning sales of Delta 8-THC hemp products in Virginia.

The Virginia Hemp Coalition has come out against the bill and the amendments. "We feel surprised by some of the misguided proposals in the bill. This bill will hurt job creation, hurt the economy, hurt farmers, and take away many legitimate rights for hemp consumers," the group's President Jason Amatucci wrote in an email to News 3.

RICHMOND, Va. -- Jacob Williamson grows, makes and sells hemp-based CBD products through his family’s Hens and Hemp farm. He went through the permitting process to be a hemp farmer when it became legal in 2019, but now he is leaving the industry.

Amatucci said he’s disappointed that people are still not supportive of hemp after all the efforts that have been put in place. “There’s been a lot of education over the years, but folks still haven’t gotten it,” Amatucci said. “It feels like we’re having to do this all over again.”

The Virginia Hemp Coalition (VHC) is urging the state’s governor to veto or amend a bill they say would unnecessarily criminalize hemp products.

CHESAPEAKE, Va. - The Virginia Hemp Coalition is calling on Gov. Youngkin to veto, or at least amend, a bill that puts restrictions on THC products sold at shops around Virginia.