RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — A Richmond business aiming to sell kava tea is finally able to after a year-long battle with the state of Virginia.
8News previously reported about the obstacles “KavaClub” faced when applying for a business permit last year. Now, KavaClub’s doors are officially open , and as of April 24, they are allowed to sell kava tea.
“We’re just trying to figure out what’s the best path forward, but we can serve kava, and that’s been our goal,” said Fred Bryant, the co-founder of KavaClub. “It’s a big step forward.”
Bryant said kava is a plant that has a mild psychoactive effect on its users when brewed and is legal in the Commonwealth.
Bryant was finally able to open his Fan district business in February, after a year-long battle with the state. He said the state had been classifying kava as a food additive, which delayed the business opening and being able to eventually sell the tea.
“The state decided that they would negotiate a consent decree, which would allow us to serve raw kava tea only,” Bryant said.