Penalty for Possession of Marijuana Charge in Virginia
December 5, 2020 by Jean Humbrecht
Until recently, possession of marijuana in Virginia was a crime. It was charged as a misdemeanor and was punished with a fine, jail time, driver’s license suspension and a conviction could never be expunged from a person’s criminal record. However, in July 2020 the law changed and marijuana possession in Virginia will no longer be charged as a crime. It is still against the law, though, and a conviction will result in a fine. For more information on the penalty for possession of marijuana charge in Virginia, read the post below.
Penalty for Possession of Marijuana Charge in Virginia No Longer Criminal
Is Marijuana Possession in Virginia Still Against the Law?
Although it is not a crime, it is still against the law to possess marijuana in Virginia without a valid prescription (Va. Code §18.2-250.1). A violation, however, will be treated as a civil penalty.
Penalty for Possession of Marijuana Charge in Virginia
The penalty for possession of marijuana in Virginia will now be a fine up to $25 and is considered a civil penalty, not a crime. There will be no court costs if a person is convicted, and a conviction will not go on a person’s criminal record.
A conviction for a possession of marijuana in Virginia that occurred while the offender was operating a commercial motor vehicle, however, will be reported to the Virginia DMV and will be reported on the person’s Virginia driving record.