Reston residents will pay the maximum local tax on recreational marijuana when retail sales open in July 2027.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted 10-0 on Tuesday, Oct. 13, to direct staff to draft an ordinance imposing a 3.5% local cannabis tax, as first reported by FFXnow. The rate is the highest Virginia law allows. It would stack on top of the regular state sales tax and a separate 6% state marijuana tax, all taking effect when Virginia permits retail sales on July 1, 2027.

State law requires every locality to set a cannabis tax rate between 1% and 3.5%. No supervisor discussed choosing a lower number, according to FFXnow's account of the meeting.

Board Chair Jeff McKay initiated the directive. County staff will return with a draft ordinance in spring 2027, and the board must hold a public hearing and adopt it by May 1, 2027, according to the board matter document. County Executive Bryan Hill's office was also directed to fold estimated cannabis tax revenue into the fiscal year 2028 budget proposal.

The same motion told staff to begin writing zoning regulations that will govern where retail marijuana shops can open in the county. The county's Department of Planning and Development will craft a zoning ordinance amendment to set those rules, the board matter states.

Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn, who represents Reston, asked staff about the process at the Oct. 13 meeting. Staff said they are waiting on clarifying language from the state government, which they expected "in coming weeks," FFXnow reported.

At a July 7 Land Use Policy Committee meeting, Alcorn said it would be important for the local government to "understand what our options are" under the new state legislation, FFXnow reported at the time.

The retail market traces to a June agreement between Gov. Abigail Spanberger and the General Assembly. Spanberger had vetoed earlier legislation that would have started sales on Jan. 1, 2027. The compromise, embedded in the biennial state budget adopted June 29, pushed the launch to July 1, 2027, giving regulators more time.

Virginia's Cannabis Control Authority (CCA) presented draft rules to its board on Sept. 9, Axios reported. The CCA expects to finalize those regulations in December and begin issuing licenses for up to 350 retail venues statewide in early 2027.

The board's draft tax ordinance is expected in spring 2027. Residents can weigh in at the required public hearing before the May 1, 2027, adoption deadline.