drugs | FFXnow

Surovell expresses ‘full support’ for Lucas amid marijuana criminal conspiracy charges

Published October 22, 2026 at 2:45PM | Updated October 22, 2026 at 8:29PM

FILE - Virginia Senate President pro tempore Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, listens to debate on the Senate floor, Feb. 17, 2026, in Richmond, Va. (AP Photo/Ryan M. Kelly, File)

Virginia Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell (D-34) called for restraint as the state’s political establishment reels from accusations of marijuana trafficking and money laundering against Senate President pro tempore L. Louise Lucas.

One of the state’s most powerful Democrats and Portsmouth’s representative in the state Senate since 1991, Lucas (D-18) was charged today (Thursday) by the U.S. Department of Justice with racketeering, conspiracy to distribute marijuana, conspiracy to launder money, conspiracy to commit honest services fraud, and maintaining a drug-involved premises.

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FCPD: Herndon man charged after trying to sell drugs for a gun

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published October 15, 2026 at 11:45AM

The FCPD released this image of fentanyl and a firearm with an auto sear and extended magazine. (Courtesy FCPD)

A Herndon man was recently arrested on drug and weapons charges after allegedly attempting to sell fentanyl to an undercover police detective, the Fairfax County Police Department announced this morning (Thursday).

The 19-year-old has been charged with possession with intent to distribute schedule I/II narcotics, possession of a firearm while distributing schedule I/II narcotics, possession of an auto sear, and carrying a loaded firearm in certain localities.

Countywide

Fairfax County prepares to tax marijuana when retail sales begin in mid-2027

By Scott McCaffrey

Published October 14, 2026 at 8:30AM

Cannabis cultivation (via Richard T/The CDB on Unsplash)

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors set the stage yesterday (Oct. 13) for a tax on recreational marijuana at the highest rate allowed when retail sales become legal next summer.

On a 10-0 vote, the supervisors directed staff to develop an ordinance that would impose a 3.5% cannabis tax on top of the state sales tax and a 6% state marijuana tax, all slated to take effect when Virginia starts permitting retail sales on July 1, 2027.

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Man sentenced to prison for fatal shooting outside Centreville Dunkin’ Donuts

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 4, 2026 at 2:45PM

Fairfax County Police Capt. Kent Bailey briefs media on a shooting in Centreville on May 15, 2024 (via FCPD/Facebook)

A Centreville man will spend at least the next six years in prison for killing an 18-year-old outside a Dunkin’ Donuts over a marijuana deal two years ago.

Hassan Kanu, who’s now 20 but was also 18 at the time of the shooting, was sentenced yesterday (Sept. 3) by a Fairfax County Circuit Court judge to 10 years in prison with four of them suspended, following a conviction in March of voluntary manslaughter.

Countywide

Fairfax County begins to assess local impact of changes to state cannabis laws

By Scott McCaffrey

Published July 10, 2026 at 1:45PM

Cannabis cultivation (via Richard T/The CDB on Unsplash)

Fairfax County leaders have begun working to determine what local steps are needed to implement changes in state cannabis laws, and what regulatory powers they will have.

“We want to make sure we put in place what we need to put in place,” Board Chair Jeff McKay said at the July 7 meeting of the Board of Supervisors’ Land Use Policy Committee.

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Spanberger agrees to marijuana retail market after vetoing Fairfax County lawmaker’s bill

By Emily Leayman

Published June 16, 2026 at 1:45PM

Cannabis plant (via Rick Proctor/Unsplash)

After vetoing legislation last month that would’ve established a retail market for cannabis, Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) has agreed to establish a market through an addition to the state budget.

The compromise between Spanberger, Fairfax County Del. Paul Krizek (D-16) and state Sen. Lashrecse Aird (D-13) would allow recreational marijuana sales to begin on July 1, 2027. The governor’s office says this allows time for the Cannabis Control Authority to develop regulations, testing and safety standards and oversight framework.

Countywide

Spanberger vetoes bills on retail weed sales, class action lawsuits and more from Fairfax legislators

By Emily Leayman

Published May 20, 2026 at 3:45PM

Person weighs marijuana (via Add Weed/Unsplash)

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) has vetoed legislation from numerous Democratic Fairfax County legislators relating to a marijuana retail market, class action lawsuits and other issues.

Yesterday, Spanberger rejected the General Assembly-passed versions of HB 642 and SB 542, which would have set up a retail market for recreational marijuana on Jan. 1, 2027 — more than five years after Virginia became the first state in the South to legalize possession of the drug by adults.

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FCPD: Four arrested for distributing drugs out of Mount Vernon motel

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 27, 2026 at 3:45PM

Fairfax County police vehicle outside Red Carpet Inn in Mount Vernon (via Google Maps)

A motel along Richmond Highway in Mount Vernon has been playing host to a drug distribution ring, Fairfax County police say.

Officers arrested four people at the Red Carpet Inn (8257 Richmond Highway) on April 17 after a three-month investigation found that they were distributing narcotics out of multiple hotel rooms, the Fairfax County Police Department announced today (Monday).

News

Spanberger proposes delaying start of retail marijuana sales allowed by Fairfax delegate’s bill

By Emily Leayman

Published April 16, 2026 at 1:45PM

Person weighs marijuana (via Add Weed/Unsplash)

Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) has proposed amendments to marijuana legislation that include delaying the launch of a recreational sales marketplace for adults.

The governor’s substitute for HB 642 and SB 542 would move the start of the legal retail market for marijuana from Jan. 1 to July, 1, 2027. It also changes marijuana possession limit from 2.5 to 2 ounces — still up from the current 1-ounce possession limit — and reduced the number of permitted stores from 350 to 200 until Jan. 1, 2029.

News

FCPD busts vape shop drug ring, seizes $2 million in narcotics

By Jared Serre

Published March 26, 2026 at 8:30AM

Marijuana recovered by Fairfax County Police (photo via FCPD/Flickr)

More than $2 million in narcotics were seized by law enforcement earlier this month after a “regional drug trafficking organization” was found to be operating 13 vape stores in Fairfax County.

Hundreds of pounds of marijuana, as well as approximately 40 pounds of suspected mushroom-infused gummies, unknown pills and more were among the items recovered, the Fairfax County Police Department announced yesterday (Wednesday).