Laws & Regulations

It can be hard to know what’s legal and what’s not when it comes to cannabis in Virginia.

Read below to learn what’s okay and what could land you in trouble.

On This Page

What’s Legal?

Medical cannabis sold by a licensed pharmaceutical processor or dispensing facility.
Possession of cannabis for personal use in your private residence.
Public possession of up to 2 oz. of cannabis for personal use.
Home cultivation of up to four cannabis plants (download a plant tag template).
Adult-sharing – the private transfer of 2 oz. or less of cannabis between people 21 years or older without exchanging anything else of value.
Hemp products sold by a regulated hemp product retail facility.

Selling or buying adult-use cannabis. Pop-up shops or other limited-time markets violate the law.
Growing plants visible to the public.
Cultivating more than four plants at home.
Driving under the influence of cannabis.
Carrying cannabis while providing transportation services, such as a cab, Uber, or Lyft.
Storing cannabis that’s open and accessible to the passenger area of a vehicle. The passenger area includes:
- Any area within reach of the driver
- The area where passengers are seated
- An unlocked glove compartment
Hemp products with more than 2 mg. total THC per package.
Stores selling cannabis products without a proper license.

Possession of cannabis outside of your personal residence can result in legal consequences. The penalty differs based on the amount of cannabis:

More than 2 oz. and up to 4 oz.: $25 civil fine
More than 4 oz. and up to 1 lb.: Class 2 or Class 3 misdemeanor
More than 1 lb.: Felony and can result in a prison sentence of one to 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000

Check out the links below for additional information on laws and regulations related to Virginia’s medical cannabis program.

Check out the links below for additional information on other laws regarding cannabis in Virginia.