RICHMOND — Advocates, lobbyists, entrepreneurs and a forensic toxicologist offered their testimony to a joint commission earlier this month, on how and why Virginia needs to move forward with a retail cannabis market.

The commission, composed of state senators and delegates, was established through legislation earlier this year and has met three times.

Lawmakers legalized recreational marijuana use in 2021, but there is no retail market for adult use. The most recent legislation to create a retail market was vetoed by Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin. Youngkin said his decision was to protect children’s health and safety, and also other states with recreational cannabis programs did not eliminate the black market.

The Nov. 4 election, which will determine the state’s next governor and the

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