Experts say the stores, many of which gift or share marijuana, are increasing because the Virginia General Assembly approved marijuana for personal use but failed to set up a retail market. The stores are among many cannabis-related retail shops opening across Southwest Virginia and other parts of the state. Some of these stores are referred to as marijuana “pop-up shops” by industry officials, although a couple in Bristol and Abingdon have been open for about two years. Some stores “gift” marijuana to customers when they buy a T-shirt, hat, sticker, or CBD product; one employee even offered to sell the art off the wall. Others operate like clubs whose members “share” with new members who buy something or pay for membership. Although some shops offer in-store testing, the products are unregulated, untaxed, and untested. The dollar amount of the purchase determines the quality and quantity of what the customer receives. The shops operate amid much confusion about the state’s marijua...