Virginia Drug Possession Law
Virginia Drug Possession Defense
What you're facing under 18.2-250, how the penalties scale, and the questions your attorney needs to answer, specific to Virginia (VA) law.
Offense Class
Class 5 Felony (Schedule I/II); Class 1 Misdemeanor (Schedule III); Class 2 Misdemeanor (Schedule IV); Class 3 Misdemeanor (Schedule V/VI)
Maximum Penalty
10 years (Schedule I/II); 12 months (Schedule III); 6 months (Schedule IV)
Maximum Fine
$2,500
Penalty Range in Virginia
Charge Enhancements
These factors can elevate the charge or penalty in Virginia:
- Possession near a school (enhanced penalties under § 18.2-255.2)
Virginia-Specific Detail
Virginia decriminalized simple marijuana possession. Schedule I/II possession (cocaine, heroin, meth, fentanyl) remains a Class 5 Felony but can be treated as a misdemeanor at court discretion.
Is your Virginia drug case defense on track?
The free Defense Score checks 10 critical defense behaviors specific to drug-possession cases. Takes 2 minutes. Instant results.
Take the Free Defense ScoreDrug Possession Defense Playbook — $127
26 questions that change how the next attorney meeting goes, a case stage roadmap, red flag checklist, and a case progress scorecard. Instant PDF download, relevant to Virginia defendants.
Important: This page provides legal INFORMATION about Virginia drug possession law as of the date of publication. Laws change frequently. This is not legal advice. The analysis draws on methods developed by defense attorneys, applied to public data. Your attorney remains the final authority on defense direction.