Marijuana Laws in Virginia

In the State of Virginia, it’s a crime to possess large amount of cannabis. Possessing one ounce or less is a civil violation. Additionally, Governor Terry McAuliffe signed Senate Bill 1027 creating the state’s Limited CBD and THC-A Oil program. Under SB 1027, recommended patients may obtain products made from THC-A or cannabidiol (CBD) oil.

Patients must have a doctor’s recommendation to qualify for the program. These cannabis extracts will contain no more than 5% THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and at least 15% CBD.

Possessing Marijuana in Virginia

Possessing small amounts of cannabis in Virginia is decriminalized. The fines are as follows:

• Under 1 ounce  = Civil violation: $25 fine

Concentrates & Hashish

Virginia state lawmakers place concentrates and hash that contain under 12% THC by weight under the same definition as cannabis. This includes Hashish oil. See “Possessing Marijuana in Virginia” for penalty details.

Medical Marijuana

Qualifying patients can use Limited CBD and THC-A  products, such as oils, patches, and tinctures.  Each patient can possess a 90-day supply of oils at any given time.

Selling Marijuana in Virginia

It is a felony crime to traffic or sell cannabis in the State of Virginia. Related convictions are punishable as follows:

• Between ½ ounce to 5 pounds = Up to $2,500 fine and mandatory minimum sentence of 1 year to up to 10 years’ imprisonment
• Between 5 pounds to 100 kilograms = Up to $1,000 fine and mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years to up to 30 years’ imprisonment
• Over 100 kilograms = Up to $100,000 fine and mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years to up to life in prison
• To a minor 3 or more years younger = Up to $100,000 fine and mandatory minimum sentence of 2 years to up to 50 years’ imprisonment
• Within 1,000 feet of school bus stop or school = Up to $100,000 fine and mandatory minimum sentence of 1 year to up to 5 years’ imprisonment
• Transporting over 5 pounds in the state with intent to distribute = Up to $1,000,000 fine and mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years to up to 40 years’ imprisonment
• Maintaining fortified drug house = Mandatory minimum sentence of 1 year to up to 10 years’ imprisonment

Concentrates & Hashish

In Virginia, it is a felony to distribute or sell any amount of concentrates or hash. Related convictions are punishable as follows:

• To a minor at least 3 years younger or using a minor to distribute = $100,000 fine, plus a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years to up to 50 years’ imprisonment
• Manufacturing, possessing or distributing with intent to distribute, give or sell (first offense) = Up to $100,000 fine and/or 1 to 5 years’ imprisonment
• Manufacturing, possessing or distributing with intent to distribute, give or sell (subsequent offense) = Up to $100,000 fine and/or mandatory minimum sentence of 1 to 5 years’ imprisonment

Paraphernalia

• Selling drug paraphernalia is a crime in the State of Virginia. Such crimes are punishable as follows:
• Possess with intent to sell or selling = Misdemeanor: Up to $2,500 fine and up to 12 months’ imprisonment
• Sell to a minor over 3 years younger = Felony: Up to $2,500 fine and up to 12 months’ incarceration
• Advertising to sell = Misdemeanor: Up to $2,500 fine and up to 12 months’ imprisonment
• Distributing printed material that knowingly advertises to sell. = Misdemeanor: Up to $2,500 fine and up to 12 months’ imprisonment
  

Growing and Manufacturing Marijuana in Virginia

Virginia law states that anyone who possesses cannabis with the intent to manufacture or manufactures cannabis is guilty of a felony crime. It’s punishable by a fine up to $10,000. There’s also a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years to up to 30 years’ imprisonment.

Growing any form of cannabis is illegal in this state. Virginia has legalized industrial hemp program for plants with less than .3 percent THC. This is limited to research organizations until federal laws have changed.

Concentrates & Hashish

No one may distribute, manufacture, or possess with the intent to give, sell or manufacture hash oil in Virginia. Such felony crimes are punishable as follows:

• First offense = Up to $500,000 fine and between 5 to 40 years’ imprisonment
• Second offense = Mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years to up to life in prison
• Subsequent offense = Mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years to up to life in prison

Virginia Hemp Law

In 2015, Virginia passed a Hemp Law under Senate Bill 955. This allows the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to regulate the cultivation of industrial hemp.  Virginia defines hemp as a variety of cannabis containing no more than 1% THC.

Medical Marijuana

Patients obtain CBD and THC-A oil from pharmaceutical processors.
No person may legally cultivate or grow medical cannabis in Virginia.

Using Marijuana in Virginia

Because of  SB 1027, qualifying patients can obtain, possess, and use limited CBD and THC-A oils. These extracts contain no more than 5% THC and no less than 15% CBD.

To participate in Virginia’s medical marijuana-like program, patients must obtain authorization from a physician. Then, they must apply for the program by enrolling through the state’s Department of Health.

Breaking the Marijuana Laws in Virginia

Conditional release may be allowed for first-time offenders found in possession of under a ½ ounce of cannabis in Virginia. This allows them to receive probation, as opposed to doing time in jail. However, these offenders must agree to enroll in a drug treatment program and pay to take a series of drug tests. Community service may also be required.

Mandatory Minimum Sentence

If convicted of a crime that carries a mandatory minimum sentence, the presiding judge cannot issue a sentence less than the minimum amount. No probation will be granted until at least this amount of time has been fully served.