Norfolk, VA Cannabis Regulations: Dispensary Zoning (2026)

While Virginia legalized adult possession and home cultivation in 2021, the retail sales framework was not enacted and remains unfunded. As a result, no adult-use dispensaries operate legally in Virginia or Norfolk. The only legal cannabis storefronts are medical dispensaries licensed by the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority, successor to the Virginia Board of Pharmacy program under VA Code 4.1-1500 et seq. Virginia is divided into five Health Service Areas each served by one pharmaceutical processor. Norfolk falls within HSA V (Eastern Virginia), served by Columbia Care (or its successor operator) with authorized dispensing locations in Hampton Roads. Local zoning for these facilities is governed by Norfolks zoning ordinance, typically permitting medical dispensaries in commercial and certain mixed-use districts with conditional use permit review, setbacks from schools, daycares, and places of worship. Unlicensed cannabis retail, gifting-scheme storefronts, and hemp-derived THC products sold outside licensed channels are targets of enforcement after 2023 and 2024 General Assembly restrictions on intoxicating hemp products under VA Code 3.2-5145.1. Any future adult-use licensing would require additional General Assembly action.