| § 18.2-250 |
NARCOTIC NEWS
Drug Law in Virginia 18.2-250
Drug Law in Virginia 18.2-250
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Possession of controlled substances unlawful.
A. It is unlawful for any person knowingly or intentionally to possess a
controlled substance unless the substance was obtained directly from, or
pursuant to, a valid prescription or order of a practitioner while acting in the
course of his professional practice, or except as otherwise authorized by the
Drug Control Act (§ 54.1-3400 et seq.).
Upon the prosecution of a person for a violation of this section, ownership or
occupancy of premises or vehicle upon or in which a controlled substance was
found shall not create a presumption that such person either knowingly or
intentionally possessed such controlled substance.
(a) Any person who violates this section with respect to any controlled
substance classified in Schedule I or II of the Drug Control Act shall be guilty of
a Class 5 felony.
(b) Any person other than an inmate of a penal institution as defined in § 53.1-1
or in the custody of an employee thereof, who violates this section with respect
to a controlled substance classified in Schedule III shall be guilty of a Class 1
misdemeanor.
(b1) Violation of this section with respect to a controlled substance classified in
Schedule IV shall be punishable as a Class 2 misdemeanor.
(b2) Violation of this section with respect to a controlled substance classified in
Schedule V shall be punishable as a Class 3 misdemeanor.
(c) Violation of this section with respect to a controlled substance classified in
Schedule VI shall be punishable as a Class 4 misdemeanor.
B. The provisions of this section shall not apply to members of state, federal,
county, city or town law-enforcement agencies, jail officers, or correctional
officers, as defined in § 53.1-1, certified as handlers of dogs trained in the
detection of controlled substances when possession of a controlled substance
or substances is necessary in the performance of their duties.
(Code 1950, § 54-524.101:2; 1972, c. 798; 1973, c. 64; 1975, cc. 14, 15; 1976,
c. 614; 1978, cc. 151, 177, 179; 1979, c. 435; 1980, c. 285; 1991, c. 649; 1998,
c. 116.)
controlled substance unless the substance was obtained directly from, or
pursuant to, a valid prescription or order of a practitioner while acting in the
course of his professional practice, or except as otherwise authorized by the
Drug Control Act (§ 54.1-3400 et seq.).
Upon the prosecution of a person for a violation of this section, ownership or
occupancy of premises or vehicle upon or in which a controlled substance was
found shall not create a presumption that such person either knowingly or
intentionally possessed such controlled substance.
(a) Any person who violates this section with respect to any controlled
substance classified in Schedule I or II of the Drug Control Act shall be guilty of
a Class 5 felony.
(b) Any person other than an inmate of a penal institution as defined in § 53.1-1
or in the custody of an employee thereof, who violates this section with respect
to a controlled substance classified in Schedule III shall be guilty of a Class 1
misdemeanor.
(b1) Violation of this section with respect to a controlled substance classified in
Schedule IV shall be punishable as a Class 2 misdemeanor.
(b2) Violation of this section with respect to a controlled substance classified in
Schedule V shall be punishable as a Class 3 misdemeanor.
(c) Violation of this section with respect to a controlled substance classified in
Schedule VI shall be punishable as a Class 4 misdemeanor.
B. The provisions of this section shall not apply to members of state, federal,
county, city or town law-enforcement agencies, jail officers, or correctional
officers, as defined in § 53.1-1, certified as handlers of dogs trained in the
detection of controlled substances when possession of a controlled substance
or substances is necessary in the performance of their duties.
(Code 1950, § 54-524.101:2; 1972, c. 798; 1973, c. 64; 1975, cc. 14, 15; 1976,
c. 614; 1978, cc. 151, 177, 179; 1979, c. 435; 1980, c. 285; 1991, c. 649; 1998,
c. 116.)