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Virginia Drug Charges: Marijuana, Controlled Substances, Penalties
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Virginia drug ch arges include offenses relating to marijuana, controlled substances, imitation controlled substances, and drug paraphernalia. Common Virginia drug charges include possession, possession with intent to distribute, distribution, manufacturing, and importation, among others.
An offender can receive separate charges with mandatory minimum and consecutive sentences for Virginia drug charges occurring on school or public property, drug charges involving minors, being involved in a continuing criminal enterprise distributing or manufacturing specific drugs, using a commercial vehicle while committing a drug felony, or possessing a firearm while committing marijuana or controlled substance offenses.
Virginia drug charges can be misdemeanors or felonies. They are punished with jail, fines, and driver’s license suspension. Second, third and subsequent offenses can have increased penalties. Additionally, convictions for Virginia drug charges can affect employment, educational opportunities, security clearances, and could have immigration consequences for anyone who is not a United States citizen.
Virginia drug charges involving marijuana are punished with jail, fines, and automatic driver’s license suspension. Marijuana is defined in Va. Code §18.2-247(D) “any part of a plant of the genus Cannabis, whether growing or not, its seeds or resin; and every compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of such plant, its seeds, or its resin.” Virginia drug charges involving marijuana include possession, possession with intent to distribute, distribution, manufacturing, and importation. Penalties include jail, fines, and driver’s license suspension. Second, third and subsequent offense have increased penalties and some have mandatory minimum jail time.
Va. Code §18.2-250.1 criminalizes the knowing and intentional possession of marijuana in Virginia. Possession can be actual or constructive, and more than one person can be convicted of possessing the same marijuana. The amount of marijuana is irrelevant in a Virginia drug charge involving possession of marijuana. Any marijuana at all, even the smallest amount, is enough to convict an offender of possession of marijuana in Virginia.
A first offense is punished with up to 30 days in jail, a fine up to $500, and automatic d river’s license suspension for 6 months. A second offense possession of marijuana charge in Virginia is a Class 1 misdemeanor, punished with up to 12 months in jail, a fine up to $2500, and automatic driver’s license suspension for 6 months.
For more information on a first offense marijuana possession charge in Virginia, click here. For more information on a second offense marijuana possession charge in Virginia, click here. For more information on possession of marijuana in Virginia, click here.
Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute/Sell/Manufacture
Possessing marijuana in Virginia with intent to distribute, sell or manufacture (Va. Code §18.2-248.1) is a misdemeanor or felony depending on the amount of marijuana the offender possessed.
Possession of less than one-half ounce with intent to distribute is a Class 1 misdemeanor (Va. Code §18.2-248.1(a)(1))
Possession of more than one-half ounce but less than 5 pounds is a Class 5 felony (Va. Code §18.2-248.1(a)(2))
Possession of more than 5 pounds with intent to distribute is punished with 5-30 years in prison. Third and subsequent offenses have increased penalties (Va. Code §18.2-248.1(a)(3))
For information on how the Commonwealth can prove intent to distribute marijuana in Virginia, click here. For more information on possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, sell or manufacture in Virginia, click here.
Distribution is defined in Va. Code §54.1-3401 as to deliver other than by administration or dispensing. Distribution of marijuana in Virginia is interpreted broadly and covers almost any transfer, sale, or gift of marijuana.
Distribution of less than one-half ounce of marijuana is a Class 1 misdemeanor (Va. Code §18.2-248.1(a)(1))
Distribution of more than one-half ounce but less than 5 pounds of marijuana is a Class 5 felony (Va. Code §18.2-248.1(a)(2))
Distributing more than 5 pounds of marijuana in Virginia is punished with 5-30 years in prison (Va. Code §18.2-248.1(a)(3))
A third or subsequent felony involving distribution, manufacture, or possessing with intent to distribute or manufacture is punished with a mandatory minimum, consecutive sentence of 5 years up to life in prison and a fine up to $500,000.
For more information on Virginia drug charges involving distribution of marijuana, click here.
Manufacturing marijuana or possessing marijuana in Virginia with intent to manufacture (not for one’s own use) in Virginia is punished with 5-30 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000 under Va. Code §18.2-248.1(C).
For more information on Virginia drug charges involving manufacturing marijuana, click here.
Transporting more than 5 pounds of marijuana or into Virginia with the intent to distribute is punished with 5-40 years in prison and a fine up to $1,000,000 (Va. Code §18.2-248.01). The offense is also violated by importing one ounce or more of a Schedule I or Schedule II controlled substance or cocaine. A second or subsequent conviction is punished with a mandatory minimum, consecutive sentence of 10 years in prison. Click here for more information on importation of marijuana in Virginia.
Virginia drug charges involving controlled substances include possession, possession with intent to distribute, distribution, manufacturing, and importation. Penalties for Virginia drug charges involving a controlled substance generally depend on the Schedule of the controlled substance, the number of the offender’s prior convictions, whether minors were involved, and whether the prohibited act occurred on school or public property.
A controlled substance is defined in Va. Code §54.1-3401 as “a drug, substance, or immediate precursor in Schedules I through VI” of the Drug Control Act. Controlled substances are classified into schedules based on their potential for abuse and accepted medical use. Penalties for a number of offenses depend on the schedule of the controlled substance. For more information on the schedules of controlled substances in Virginia, click here.
Like marijuana offenses, possession of a controlled substance in Virginia can be actual or constructive, and more than one person can be convicted of possessing the same controlled substance.
Possession of a Schedule I or II controlled substance in Virginia is a Class 5 felony (Va. Code §18.2-250(A)(a))
Possession of a Schedule III drug is a Class 1 misdemeanor (Va. Code §18.2-250(A)(b))
Possession of a Schedule IV controlled substance is a Class 2 misdemeanor (Va. Code §18.2-250(A)(b1))
Possession of a Schedule V controlled substance is a Class 3 misdemeanor (Va. Code §18.2-250(A)(b2))
Possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance is a Class 4 misdemeanor (Va. Code §18.2-250(A)(c))
Possession with Intent to Distribute/Sell/Manufacture
Possessing a controlled substance with intent to distribute, sell or manufacture is a misdemeanor or felony depending on the schedule of the drug possessed.
Possession of a Schedule I or II controlled substance with intent to distribute, sel l or manufacture is punished with 5-40 years in prison and fine up to $500,000 (Va. Code §18.2-248(C))
Possession of a Schedule III controlled substance with intent to distribute, sell or manufacture is a Class 5 felony (Va. Code §18.2-248(E1))
Possession of a Schedule IV controlled substance with intent to distribute is a Class 6 felony (Va. Code §18.2-248(E)(2))
Possession of a Schedule V or Schedule VI controlled substance with intent to distribute is a Class 1 misdemeanor (Va. Code §18.2-248(F))
Distribution is defined in Va. Code §54.1-3401 as to deliver other than by administration or dispensing. Distribution of marijuana in Virginia is interpreted broadly and covers almost any transfer, sale, or gift of a controlled substance. Distribution of a controlled substance is also punished based on the Schedule of the controlled substance that was allegedly distributed.
Distribution of a Schedule I or II controlled substance in Virginia is punished with 5-40 years in prison and a fine up to $500,000. Second and third offenses have increased penalties (Va. Code §18.2-248(C))
Distribution of a Schedule III controlled substance in Virginia is a Class 5 felony (Va. Code §18.2-248(E1))
Distribution of a Schedule IV controlled substance in Virginia is a Class 6 felony (Va. Code §18.2-248(E)(2))
Distribution of a Schedule V or VI controlled substance in Virginia is a Class 1 misdemeanor (Va. Code §18.2-248(F))
Click here for more information on distribution of controlled substances in Virginia.
Manufacturing a controlled substance in Virginia is applying an extractive or synthetic process (or both) to one or more substances to create a new controlled substance. Penalties for manufacturing a controlled substance in Virginia depend on the Schedule of the controlled substance, the number of the offender’s prior convictions, whether minors were involved, and whether the manufacture occurred on certain property. Additionally, there are increased penalties for charges of manufacturing a controlled substance in Virginia involving specified amounts of certain controlled substances.
Manufacturing a Schedule I or II controlled substance is punished with 5-40 years in prison and fine up to $500,000 (Va. Code §18.2-248(C))
Manufacturing a Schedule III controlled substance is a Class 5 felony (Va. Code §18.2-248(E1))
Manufacturing a Schedule IV controlled substance with intent to distribute is a Class 6 felony (Va. Code §18.2-248(E)(2))
Manufacturing a Schedule V or Schedule VI controlled substance with intent to distribute is a Class 1 misdemeanor (Va. Code §18.2-248(F))
For more information on Virginia drug charges involving manufacturing controlled substances, click here.
Importing into Virginia one ounce or more of a Schedule I or Schedule II controlled substance, cocaine, or more than 5 pounds of marijuana with the intent to sell or distribute is punished with 5-40 years in prison and a fine up to $1,000,000 (Va. Code §18.2-248.01). A second or subsequent offense is punished with a mandatory minimum, consecutive sentence of 10 years in prison. For more information on importation of a Schedule I controlled substance in Virginia, click here. For more information on importation of a Schedule II controlled substance in Virginia, click here. For more information on importation of a controlled substance in Virginia, click here.
An imitation controlled substance in Virginia is a substance that mimics the appearance of a controlled substance. It can be either a counterfeit controlled substance or a pill, capsule, tablet, or substance in any form which is not a controlled substance subject to abuse. There are a number of crimes involving imitation controlled substances in Virginia, including:
Selling, Distributing, Giving or Manufacturing an Imitation Controlled Substance (Va. Code §18.2-248(G))
Possession with Intent to Distribute an Imitation Controlled Substance (Va. Code §18.2-248(G))
Distribution of an Imitation Controlled Substance on School and Public Property (Va. Code §18.2-255.2)
Distribution of an Imitation Controlled Substance in Virginia to a Minor (Va. Code §18.2-255(B)(i))
Causing Minor to Assist in Distribution of Imitation Controlled Substance in Virginia (Va. Code §18.2-255(B)(ii))
Advertising Imitation Controlled Substances (Va. Code §18.2-248.4)
For more information on imitation controlled substances in Virginia, click here.
Controlled paraphernalia in Virginia is defined in Va. Code §54.1-3466 as “(i) a hypodermic syringe, needle, or other instrument or implement or combination thereof adapted for the administration of controlled dangerous substances by hypodermic injections under circumstances that reasonably indicate an intention to use such controlled paraphernalia for purposes of illegally administering any controlled drug or (ii) gelatin capsules, glassine envelopes, or any other container suitable for the packaging of individual quantities of controlled drugs in sufficient quantity to and under circumstances that reasonably indicate an intention to use any such item for the illegal manufacture, distribution, or dispensing of any such controlled drug.”
Drug paraphernalia in Virginia is defined in Va. Code §18.2-265.1 as “all equipment, products, and materials of any kind which are either designed for use or which are intended by the person charged with violating § 18.2-265.3 for use in planting, propagating, cultivating, growing, harvesting, manufacturing, compounding, converting, producing, processing, preparing, strength testing, analyzing, packaging, repackaging, storing, containing, concealing, injecting, ingesting, inhaling, or otherwise introducing into the human body marijuana or a controlled substance.”
Virginia drug offenses involving controlled and drug paraphernalia in Virginia include:
Distributing drug paraphernalia to a minor (Va. Code §18.2-265.3(C))
For more information on Virginia paraphernalia charges, click here.
Virginia Drug Charges Involving Prisoners
Possession of marijuana by a prisoner in Virginia (Va. Code §53.1-203.6) is a Class 5 felony, punished with up to 5 years in prison and a fine up to $2500. Delivering a controlled substance to a prisoner (Va. Code §18.2-474.1) is a Class 5 felony, punished with up to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $2500.
Virginia Drug Charges Involving Minors
A number of Virginia drug charges apply specifically to offenses involving minors. Most of these offenses have mandatory minimums which must be served consecutive to any other penalties for Virginia drug charges.
Distributing a a Schedule I, II, III, or IV controlled substance or marijuana in Virginia to a minor is punished with 10-50 years in prison and a fine up to $100,000 (Va. Code §18.2-255(A)(i))
Causing a minor to distribute a Schedule I, II, III or IV controlled substance or marijuana in Virginia is charged under Va. Code §18.2-255(A)(ii) is punished with 10-50 years in prison and a fine up to $100,000
Distributing a pill containing a combination of caffeine and ephedrine sulfate to a minor without a prescription is a Class 1 misdemeanor (Va. Code §18.2-248.5)
Distributing or displaying for sale to a minor written material advertising the sale of a device for the unlawful ingesting or administering of a controlled substance is a Class 1 misdemeanor (Va. Code §18.2-255.1)
Allowing a minor or incapacitated person to be present during manufacture/attempted manufacture of meth (Va. Code §18.2-248.02) is punished with 10-40 years in prison. This penalty is in addition to, and will be served consecutively with, any other prison sentence
Distributing, Manufacturing or Possessing with Intent to Distribute or Manufacture On Or Near Schools
Distributing, selling, or manufacturing a controlled substance or possessing a controlled substance with intent to distribute, sell or manufacture in Virginia on school and public property is a separate felony under Va. Code §18.2-255.2. The property covered by this statute includes schools, public property within 1,000 feet of school property, a school bus, a school bus stop, public property within 1,000 feet of a school bus stop when it is in use, a public rec center, public library, a state facility, or public property open to public use within 1,000 feet of a state facility.
This charge is in ADDITION TO any other Virginia drug charges and is punished with 1-5 years in prison and a fine up to $100,000. A second or subsequent offense involving a Schedule I, II, III controlled substance carries a mandatory minimum, consecutive prison term of one year if the prior conviction was for a Schedule I, II, III controlled substance or more than one-half ounce of marijuana.
Fraudulently obtaining a controlled substance in Virginia is a Class 6 felony under Va. Code §18.2-258.1. The offense can be committed in a number of different ways, including:
Obtaining or attempting to obtain a controlled substance in Virginia by fraud, forgery, alteration of a prescription, concealment of a material fact, or using a false name or address (Va. Code §18.2-258.1(A))
Providing fraudulent information in a prescription or other document (Va. Code §18.2-258.1(B))
Using an invalid license number in manufacturing or distributing a controlled substance (Va. Code §18.2-258.1(C))
Making or uttering a fake prescription or written order (Va. Code §18.2-258.1(E))
Falsely purporting to be an authorized person for the purpose of obtaining a controlled substance (Va. Code §18.2-258.1(D)), or
Putting a fake label to a package containing a controlled substance (Va. Code §18.2-258.1(F))
A pharmacist commits a Class 4 misdemeanor by filling a prescription that has not been received in writing before filling the prescription but receives the prescription within one week of filling it (Va. Code §18.2-248(E)). Requesting a pharmacist to fill a prescription that has not been received in writing but is written at the time of the request and delivered to the pharmacist within one week of the request is also a Class 4 misdemeanor (Va. Code §18.2-248(E)). Knowingly assisting a person in unlawfully acquiring prescription drugs from an unlicensed pharmacy or other source for compensation is a Class 1 misdemeanor (Va. Code §18.2-258.2). A second or subsequent offense is a Class 6 felony.
An organizer of a continuing criminal enterprise faces felony charges under (Va. Code §18.2-248(H1)) if the continuing criminal enterprise receives over $100,000 in a 12 month period from the manufacture, importation, or distribution of cocaine, meth, heroin, or marijuana or if he is engaged in the enterprise to manufacture, sell, give or distribute or possess with intent to manufacture, sell, give or distribute certain amounts of cocaine, cocaine base, meth, heroin or marijuana. He faces 20 years up to life in prison and a fine up to $1,000,000. He faces a life sentence and a fine up to $1,000,000 if the enterprise received more than $250,000 in gross receipts during a 12 month period from the same acts or if he was engaged in the enterprise to commit Virginia drug offenses involving high quantities of these drugs (Va. Code §18.2-248(H2)).
Using Commercial Vehicle For Virginia Drug Offenses
Using a commercial vehicle while committing a felony involving manufacturing, distributing or dispensing a controlled substance or possessing a controlled substance with intent to manufacture, distribute or dispense is a Class 1 misdemeanor under Va. Code §46.2-341.19. This offense is a separate and distinct offense and the punishment is in addition to any other punishment received for the primary drug felony.
Possessing a firearm while possessing a Schedule I or Schedule II controlled substance is a Class 6 felony under Va. Code §18.2-308.4. It is also a Class 6 felony under Va. Code §18.2-308.4 to knowingly and intentionally possess a firearm on or about the person while possessing a Schedule I or Schedule II controlled substance. This offense is punished with a mandatory minimum, consecutive sentence of 2 years in prison.
Possessing, us ing, or attempting to use a firearm or displaying a firearm in a threatening manner while committing or attempting to commit the manufacture, sale or distribution of a Schedule I or II controlled substance or more than one pound of marijuana or possessing a Schedule I or II controlled substance or more than one pound of marijuana with intent to distribute, sell or manufacture is a separate and distinct offense under Va. Code §18.2-308.4(C). It is punished with a mandatory minimum, consecutive sentence of 5 years in prison in addition to any other penalty for the primary drug offense.
Va. Code §18.2-258 states that a “common nuisance” is an establishment that is:
frequented by people under the influence of illegally obtained substance,
frequented by persons for the purpose of illegally obtaining possession of, manufacturing, or distributing controlled substances, or
used for the illegal possession, manufacture or distribution of controlled substances.
Knowingly operating or owning a common nuisance under Va. Code §18.2-258 is a Class 1 misdemeanor. A second or subsequent offense is a Class 6 felony.
Maintaining Fortified Drug House
Maintaining or operating a fortified drug house is a Class 5 felony in Virginia (Va. Code §18.2-258.02). A fortified drug house is a structure that is substantially altered from its original status by reinforcement to impede or delay entry by law-enforcement, the structure is being used to distribute or manufacture controlled substances, and the structure is the object of a valid search warrant.
Violation of Drug Control Act
The Drug Control Act in Virginia is mainly regulatory (as opposed to criminal) and provides many requirements related to the distribution and dispensing of drugs, such as dispensing, manufacturing, repackaging, prescriptions, handling, disposal, licensing, permits, inspections, and dissemination of information, among others. The Drug Control Act authorizes certain people to distribute or manufacture controlled substances and controlled paraphernalia. Distributing or manufacturing in violation of these provisions can be charged as an illegal distribution or manufacturing offense under Va. Code §18.2-248. A violation of the drug control act is a Class 1 misdemeanor under Va. Code §18.2-260 unless another penalty is provided. Click here for more information on violation of the Drug Control Act in Virginia.
Conspiring to commit a drug offense (Va. Code §18.2-256) is punished with a fine, jail, or both. Punishment for the conspiracy must be punished with a minimum no less than the offense conspired and no higher than the offense conspired.
Attempting to commit a felony drug offense in Virginia is punished with 1-10 years in prison (Va. Code §18.2-257(A). However, if the offender attempted to commit a felony drug offense with a lower penalty than 1-10 years in prison, he may be punished according to the lower penalty. Attempting to commit a misdemeanor drug offense is a Class 2 misdemeanor (Va. Code §18.2-257(B)).
Va. Code §18.2-251 allows for the dismissal of first offense Virginia drug charges upon successful completion of a diversion program provided for in Va. Code §18.2-251. To be eligible for the program, the accused must not have had any prior drug conviction in any jurisdiction in the United States or previously benefited from this deferred disposition program. The program requires a substance abuse evaluation, drug treatment, random drug and alcohol testing, community service, ASAP classes, payment of fees and costs for the program and testing, driver’s license suspension for 6 months, and the offender must search for or maintain employment. Upon successful completion of the program, the charge will be dismissed. However, the arrest can never be expunged.