The Rules Committee voted to report HJ 497 and re‑refer it to the Finance Committee, moving to reestablish the Cannabis Oversight Commission that had sunset last year.

Sponsor testimony said reestablishing the commission would allow continued, multi‑disciplinary study of issues including criminalization data, unregulated demand, hemp and medical cannabis regulation, license counts and equity programs. "The CCA also needs resources and a look at what they are in need of, as well as looking at our youth and public health safety and educating the consumers and, our favorite topic which is the tax breakdown," said Chelsea Higgs Wise, testifying on behalf of Marijuana Justice and allied groups.

The Virginia Catholic Conference registered opposition at the hearing; a representative told the committee the organization "opposes the commercialization of high potency THC and therefore oppose[s] the creation of a commission to transition the commonwealth to a preordained outcome." Committee members discussed technical staffing amendments to clarify which clerk's office would provide administrative support and agreed to report the measure and refer it to finance for fiscal review.

Senator Edmond moved that the committee report the bill; after a technical staffing amendment was adopted the committee voted to report and re‑refer HJ 497 to Finance. The transcript records the measure as reported; a numeric roll call was not recorded in the Rules hearing transcript provided.

If the commission is reestablished, committee members said it would continue work on licensing projections, public‑health and youth‑safety questions, tax breakdowns and equity programs and would include legislative members from relevant committees and appropriations.