Virginia

Overview

Virginia legalized adult-use possession and home grow on July 1, 2021, but has not yet had a legal adult-use retail market. Adults 21+ may possess up to one ounce and grow up to four plants per household, kept out of public view and labeled. Licensed medical dispensaries serve registered patients. Consuming cannabis in public carries a civil penalty, and sharing cannabis with another adult is allowed only without payment.

Last reviewed October 2026. General information, not legal advice.

What's Legal

Adults 21+ may possess and use cannabis privately, but there are no adult-use stores yet; retail sales are scheduled to begin July 1, 2027. Public consumption carries a civil penalty.

Possession Limits

1 oz in public (state law raises this to 2 oz when retail sales begin)

Home Growing

Up to 4 plants per household

Recent Changes

Virginia's budget, signed in June 2026, authorizes adult-use retail sales starting July 1, 2027, regulated by the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority. License applications are expected to open in early 2027. The budget also raises the public possession limit to two ounces and increases the public-consumption fine. Check the Authority for exact effective dates before relying on the new limits.

Driving and Cannabis

Driving while impaired by cannabis is illegal in Virginia, as it is in every state, whether or not the cannabis was obtained legally. Officers may rely on field sobriety tests, drug recognition evaluations, and blood tests, and some states set specific THC limits or zero-tolerance rules. Consuming cannabis in a vehicle and carrying open or unsealed packages where the driver can reach them are commonly prohibited. If you have used cannabis, the safest choice is not to drive.

Crossing State Lines and Federal Law

Taking marijuana across state lines is illegal under federal law, even between two states where cannabis is legal, and it may also violate the law of the state you enter. Marijuana is also prohibited on federal land, in national parks, and at airports under TSA jurisdiction. In 2026 the federal government moved FDA-approved products and state-licensed medical marijuana to Schedule III, but adult-use marijuana remains a Schedule I substance, and rescheduling does not legalize interstate transport. Separate federal changes to the legal definition of hemp take effect in late 2026 and will restrict many intoxicating hemp-derived THC products.

Virginia Cannabis FAQ

Compare Virginia with every other state in our cannabis laws comparison table.

Official Resource

Cannabis laws change often, and limits, penalties, and program rules can differ from what is summarized here. This page is general information, not legal advice. Before you rely on any detail, check the official state source below or consult a licensed attorney in Virginia.