Informational only — not legal advice. Cannabis laws change frequently; verify current rules with the official sources linked below before relying on this page.
Last verified: 2026-07-12
Virginia Cannabis Laws — Quick Facts
Status
Legal use · no licensed retail yet
Min. Age
21 (for possession and future retail)
Purchase Limit
Adults 21+ may possess up to 1 oz (28.3 g) of marijuana for personal use.
Governing Agency: Virginia Cannabis Control Authority (CCA)
Statute/Citation: Va. Code § 4.1-1100 et seq.
Medical Exists: Yes
Retail Sales Operational: No (Scheduled for July 1, 2027)
2. Who Can Purchase
Minimum Age: 21 (for possession and future retail)
ID Requirements: Valid government-issued photo ID (once retail opens)
Resident vs. Out-of-State/Visitor: N/A for adult-use retail until 2027.
Reciprocity: N/A for adult-use.
3. Purchase & Possession Limits
Current Limit (Pre-Retail): Adults 21+ may possess up to 1 oz (28.3 g) of marijuana for personal use.
Future Limit (Post-July 2027): Limit will increase to 2 oz of cannabis.
Note: It is legal to share up to 1 oz with another adult 21+ in private, provided no money or remuneration is exchanged.
4. Where & How to Buy
Dispensaries: Adult-use retail is not yet available via licensed retail.
Delivery & Online: Recreational delivery is not permitted. Medical cannabis delivery is allowed for registered patients.
Consumption Lounges: Not permitted.
Local Opt-Outs: Local governments have zoning authority over where future retailers may operate.
5. Taxes & Payment
Taxes: Retail taxes are not yet applicable as the adult-use market is not operational.
Payment: N/A.
6. Consumption Rules
Permitted Locations: Private residences.
Prohibited Locations: All public places.
Vehicles/Open Container: Illegal to consume while operating or riding in a vehicle. It is explicitly illegal to smoke marijuana in a vehicle when a minor under 15 is present.
Landlord/Employer: Employers can maintain drug-free workplaces and take action against employees for marijuana use.
7. Home Cultivation
Allowed: Yes
Plant Count Limits: Up to 4 plants per household.
Household Caps: Maximum 4 plants per household, strictly regardless of the number of adults. Plants must not be visible from a public way, must be inaccessible to minors, and must be tagged with the cultivator's name, ID number, and a note that it is for personal use.
8. Penalties
Over-Limit Possession: Possession between 1 oz and 1 lb is subject to civil penalties; over 1 lb is a felony.
Public Consumption: Civil penalty (increasing to $250 starting July 2027).
Sale to Minors: Felony.
DUI Thresholds: Impairment-based. Law enforcement uses field sobriety tests and officer observations to determine impairment.