Virginia Governor Spanberger Proposes Sweeping Reforms on Guns, Marijuana, and Workers' Rights

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger has introduced a series of legislative amendments that would make significant changes to the state's gun laws, marijuana policies, and workers' rights. The proposed reforms include banning future sales of assault weapons, restoring universal background checks, requiring safe firearm storage, developing gun buyback programs, increasing transparency in law enforcement, establishing a legal retail marijuana market, and extending collective bargaining rights to public sector workers.

Why it matters

These wide-ranging policy proposals from Governor Spanberger reflect her administration's priorities around public safety, public health, and worker protections. The gun safety and marijuana legalization measures aim to address pressing community concerns, while the workers' rights bills represent a shift toward more progressive labor policies in the state.

The details

Spanberger's gun safety amendments would prohibit future sales of assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, raise the minimum age to purchase firearms, and mandate safe storage requirements. On marijuana, the governor wants to establish a legal retail market starting in 2027 and create a process to reconsider sentences for past cannabis-related offenses. For workers, the bills would guarantee paid sick and family leave, as well as extend collective bargaining rights to public sector employees.

• The gun safety and marijuana legislation would take effect on July 1, 2026.
• The legal retail marijuana market is proposed to launch on July 1, 2027.
• The paid leave and collective bargaining bills are set to be implemented in the coming year.

What’s next

The Virginia General Assembly will now consider Governor Spanberger's proposed amendments during the current legislative session. If passed, the new laws would go into effect in the coming years.