Virginia's New Cannabis Laws Are Here. Here's What They Mean for Virginia's Hemp Market.
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On July 1, Virginia's new cannabis legislation officially became law as part of the Commonwealth's state budget. The legislation creates a path toward a regulated adult-use cannabis marketplace beginning in 2027, but it also makes immediate and significant changes to Virginia's hemp industry. Among the biggest changes is the elimination of the previous CBD-to-THC ratio provision that allowed certain higher-THC hemp products to be legally manufactured and sold. Beginning August 15, hemp products sold in Virginia are generally limited to no more than 2mg of total THC per package.
As a Virginia manufacturer, we understand the importance of regulations. We support product testing, accurate labeling, age restrictions, child-resistant packaging, and keeping intoxicating products away from minors. Responsible businesses have been asking for thoughtful regulations for years.
What has been difficult isn't that the rules changed.
It's how they changed.
A Sudden Shift for an Entire Industry
For hundreds of Virginia businesses, these changes arrived with very little time to prepare.
Manufacturers, distributors, retailers, ingredient suppliers, packaging companies, and co-packers have invested millions of dollars developing products that complied with Virginia law at the time they were produced. Many companies ordered packaging months in advance, purchased ingredients, scheduled production runs, and built inventory based on the regulations that existed.
Now, many of those products can no longer be produced for the Virginia market, and businesses have only a short window to sell through existing inventory before the new limits take effect.
For an industry that plans production several months in advance, that is an incredibly difficult adjustment.
The Ripple Effect Goes Far Beyond Cannabis
When people think about hemp beverages, they often picture the product on the shelf.
What they don't see are all the businesses behind that product.
Every beverage supports:
- Farmers
- Ingredient suppliers
- Packaging manufacturers
- Graphic designers
- Printers
- Warehousing companies
- Distributors
- Delivery drivers
- Retail stores
- Manufacturing employees
- Small family-owned businesses like ours
When products disappear overnight, every business in that supply chain feels the impact.
What This Means for LUNA Craft NA
At LUNA Craft NA, we've invested heavily in creating high-quality hemp-derived beverages made right here in Virginia.
We've focused on:
- Lab-tested products
- Responsible formulations
- Clear labeling
- Adult consumers
- Safe manufacturing practices
- Compliance with Virginia regulations
We've also built our business around helping other companies manufacture their beverages through our co-packing operation.
The new law doesn't just affect our own products—it affects many of the brands we manufacture for as well. Production schedules must change, packaging may need to be redesigned, formulas reformulated, and inventory managed under a very compressed timeline.
That's challenging for any business, especially small manufacturers without the resources of national corporations.
We Believe Regulation Should Be Predictable
Businesses can adapt.
We've done it before, and we'll do it again.
What businesses need most is predictability.
When regulations change through a transparent legislative process with adequate implementation timelines, companies can responsibly plan production, manage inventory, protect employees, and continue serving customers.
Rapid regulatory changes make that much more difficult, particularly for small businesses that don't have unlimited resources or warehouses full of replacement inventory.
Looking Ahead
Despite these challenges, we're committed to moving forward.
We'll continue developing innovative beverages that comply with Virginia law while maintaining the quality our customers expect.
We'll continue supporting our retail partners through this transition.
We'll continue manufacturing products here in Virginia.
Most importantly, we'll continue advocating for thoughtful policies that protect consumers while also giving responsible small businesses the opportunity to succeed.
Virginia has an opportunity to build one of the country's most responsible cannabis and hemp industries.
We hope future policy decisions continue to balance consumer safety with practical implementation, transparency, and support for the many Virginia businesses working hard to do things the right way.
Thank you to everyone who has supported LUNA Craft NA and the many small businesses that make up Virginia's hemp community. Your support means more now than ever, and we're excited to continue serving you as this industry enters its next chapter.