(Effective July 1, 2027) Possession or distribution of cannabis oil, or industrial hemp; laboratories; Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Department of Law employees
Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-251.1:3
in effectA. No person employed by an analytical laboratory to retrieve, deliver, or possess cannabis oil or industrial hemp samples from a permitted pharmaceutical processor, a registered industrial hemp grower, a federally licensed hemp producer, or a registered industrial hemp processor for the purpose of performing required testing shall be prosecuted under Chapter 11 (§ 4.1-1100 et seq.) of Title 4.1 or § 18.2-248 , 18.2-250 , or 18.2-255 for the possession or distribution of cannabis oil or industrial hemp or for storing cannabis oil or industrial hemp for testing purposes in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Board of Directors of the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority and the Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services. B. No employee of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services or of the Department of Law shall be prosecuted under Chapter 11 (§ 4.1-1100 et. seq.) of Title 4.1 or § 18.2-248 , 18.2-248.01 , or 18.2-250 for the possession or distribution of industrial hemp or any substance containing tetrahydrocannabinol when possession of industrial hemp or any substance containing tetrahydrocannabinol is necessary in the performance of his duties.
2020, c. 941 , § 18 .2-251.1:2; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 110 , 550 , 551 ; 2023, cc. 744 , 794 ; 2026, Sp. Sess. I, c. 1 .
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/18.2-251.1:3/Fetched: 10/16/2026