Fall is here, and that means change is happening. But there's more than just the changing leaves and winter snow coming to Virginia.

Adult-use cannabis is on the horizon, and a lot will change with it.

At Greener Things, we're preparing for that next chapter and working hard to bring adult-use cannabis to our community. While regulations and timelines are still developing, one thing won't change: our commitment to providing high-quality cannabis products in a safe, welcoming environment.

So, what does that mean for you, the community that keeps us going?

As Virginia moves toward a regulated adult-use market, we look forward to offering a wider variety of cannabis products, including higher-THC options, with seed-to-sale tracking.

Just like we do today, we'll continue prioritizing third-party lab testing, product quality, and the trust you've placed in us.

But for me personally (Eric Welch), this next chapter means something much bigger.

I discovered cannabis at a young age, long before the industry looked anything like it does today. Selling cannabis gave me an opportunity to learn about life and different cultures. It also allowed me to make money, and leave my small town in Kentucky, and chase a different life in Los Angeles. But that opportunity also came at a tremendous cost. I eventually went to prison and spent some of my 20's locked up.

I've been free for 14 years now, and the journey back hasn't always been easy. I've experienced the ups and downs of cannabis long before it became the multibillion-dollar industry it is today. And even now, doing something I enjoy—building a business around cannabis—continues to come with challenges.

The industry has changed, but it's also become one where the amount of money you have can determine whether you even get a chance to participate. For smaller, independent businesses like ours, the cost of entering the regulated market can be overwhelming.

That's why earning an adult-use cannabis license in Virginia would mean so much to me. Honestly, it would feel like winning an NBA championship.

Not because the work would be finished, but because of everything it took to get there. It would open the door to another level of opportunity, allowing us to grow, expand, and continue building something that once seemed out of reach.

And through all of that, I wouldn't want to lose what makes Greener Things special.

We've worked hard to create more than just a place to purchase cannabis. We want Greener Things to be a safe, welcoming space for everyone. A place where people can ask questions, learn something new, and feel comfortable being themselves without judgment.

For someone who went to prison for cannabis, seeing how far we've come in changing the conversation around this plant means a lot. But I also know there's still work to be done.

Cannabis has carried a stigma for a long time, and I believe education, responsible access, and open conversations are how we continue to change that.

As cannabis becomes more widely accepted, I believe there will come a day when visiting a cannabis dispensary is as common as stopping by your neighborhood liquor store.

And when that day comes, I want Greener Things to stand apart. Not simply because of what we sell, but because of how we treat people, the quality of our products, and the relationships we've built.

No matter where we are or how much changes, we are your community cannabis dispensary.