Penalty for Possession of Marijuana in Virginia
November 14, 2020 by Jean Humbrecht
The Penalty for Possession of Marijuana in Virginia is Now a Fine
Possession of marijuana in Virginia is no longer a crime. Marijuana possession in Virginia used to be a misdemeanor, punished with a fine, potential jail time, mandatory driver’s license suspension and a permanent criminal record. However, in July 2020 the law changed and possession of marijuana 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 in Virginia, read the post below.
Is Possession of Marijuana in Virginia Still Against the Law?
Even though it is not a crime, it is still against the law to knowingly and intentionally possess marijuana in Virginia under Va. Code §18.2-250.1 unless the person obtained the marijuana pursuant to a valid prescription. A violation, however, will be treated as a civil penalty and not a criminal offense.
Penalty for Possession of Marijuana 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.
Possession of marijuana in Virginia while operating a commercial motor vehicle, however, will be reported to the Virginia DMV and will be reported on the person’s driving record.