October 6, 2025​

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Max Jackson testified before the Virginia Cannabis Oversight Commission on the structural risks of limited-license market models and the proven benefits of competitive market design. Drawing evidence from multi-state failures (Illinois, Arizona, Connecticut, Florida), the analysis demonstrates how incumbent market capture leads to failed social equity programs, inflated consumer prices, and thriving illicit markets.

 

The testimony proposes four evidence-based guardrails to prevent regulatory capture: phased market launch prioritizing new Virginia operators, strict canopy limits preventing license stacking, multi-year social equity lockups, and regular data-driven market reviews. The core argument: Virginia has a rare opportunity to learn from 24 states' legalization experiments and implement proven competitive market architecture from day one.

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Watch Testimony Below