When is drug possession a crime?

In Virginia, drug possession is a crime when the person in possession of the drug does not have a valid prescription or other form of authorization from a licensed health care practitioner. Possession of any illegal controlled substance, including marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, ecstasy, or methamphetamine, is a crime in Virginia. It is important to note that for certain types of drugs, intent to distribute or the amount of drugs in possession can greatly affect the severity of the charges. For example, if a person has a significant amount of a drug in their possession and no evidence of selling or distributing the drug, the law assumes that the person intended to distribute the drug and could be charged with a drug trafficking crime. In addition, possession of drug paraphernalia is also illegal in Virginia. Drug paraphernalia includes items such as scales, pipes, bongs, syringes, or other items that are intended to be used in the consumption, storage, or preparation of illegal drugs. Anyone charged with a drug crime should be aware that the penalties can be severe and can include fines, incarceration, and even lengthy probationary periods, depending on the severity of the charges. It is important to seek legal advice from a qualified attorney as soon as possible if you have been charged with a drug crime in Virginia.

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When is drug possession a crime?

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