Sen. Ayred's SB 543 to expand cannabis enforcement, clarify $10,000 daily decal penalty, cleared by subcommittee 8–1

Senator Ayred introduced Senate Bill 543 and told the House General Laws subcommittee the measure would expand regulatory and enforcement powers related to cannabis and hemp, including new grounds for license revocation, decal requirements and penalties, mandatory law-enforcement training standards and the creation of a multi-agency cannabis task force.

"This amendment clarifies that the civil penalty of $10,000 for displaying a false decal is per day," Senator Ayred said, asking the panel to adopt a small amendment before debate. She framed the bill as a response to an expanding illicit market that, she said, could undermine a future regulated adult-use retail market and threaten public health and safety.

Two witnesses spoke in favor. JM Padini, representing the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, thanked the bill patron and said the organization supports the bill. "We thank the patron for her work on this issue and support the bill," Padini said.

Charlie Jackson, representing the Cannabis Small Business Association, also voiced support but said trade groups had submitted technical amendments to avoid penalizing relatively minor labeling or packaging errors. "Some retailers get fined, for instance, for having the net weight in the wrong spot on a non-THC, non-intoxicating product," Jackson said. He said the association hopes to work with the patron to refine language so enforcement targets bad actors without unduly burdening compliant small businesses.

Tom Latorsha of the Virginia Catholic Conference opposed the bill as written and urged the addition of THC potency caps, citing concerns about high-potency THC products and youth access. "Today's THC can run up to 90 percent," Latorsha said, noting his group's public-health concerns especially about edibles.

After a motion to report the bill as amended (moved by Delga Price and seconded), the subcommittee voted to report SB 543 as amended. The recorded result was 8 yes, 1 no. The amendment clarified that the civil penalty referenced in the bill applies on a per-day basis; the transcript reflects a voice/roll process for the earlier amendment adoption but members later cast recorded votes on the final report.

The subcommittee's action sends SB 543, as amended, onward in the legislative process for further consideration.