                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES UNLAWFUL (§ 18.2-250)

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, except that any person other than an inmate of a
   penal institution as defined in &#xA7; 53.1-1 or in the custody of an employee
   thereof who violates this section with respect to a cannabimimetic agent is
   guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

   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 &#xA7; 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.

HISTORY: 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; 2014, cc. 674, 719.