Is Weed Legal in Virginia? Possession, Home Grow, 2027 Stores
Virginia adults can carry 2 oz and grow 4 plants, but there is nowhere to buy legally except a medical dispensary until July 1, 2027.
This guide is about the United States — not the country you picked in the header.
Key takeaways
- Adults 21+ may possess up to 2 oz and grow 4 plants; selling remains illegal.
- Adult-use sales start July 1, 2027 with up to 350 retail licenses; applications open February 1, 2027.
- Public use is a $25 civil penalty that rises to $250 on July 1, 2027.
- The 2026 retail law was a June budget compromise after a veto.
Virginia legalized cannabis in 2021 and, five years later, still has nowhere to buy it legally except a medical dispensary. The 2026 legislative session was supposed to fix that, and for a few weeks it looked as though it would not.
What adults may and may not do today
| Activity | Rule | Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Carry in public | Up to 2 oz (Code of Virginia § 4.1-1100) | Over 2 oz to 4 oz: civil penalty up to $25 |
| Carry 4 oz to 1 lb | Not allowed | Class 3 misdemeanor; Class 2 for repeat offenses |
| Carry over 1 lb | Not allowed | Felony: 1 to 10 years, fine up to $250,000 |
| Grow at home | 4 plants per household, tagged, out of public view, no access for under-21s | 5 to 10 plants: civil penalty of $250 for a first offense, misdemeanors after that |
| Use in public | Prohibited | $25 civil penalty; $250 from July 1, 2027 |
| Sell | Not allowed without a license | Crime |
How 2026 played out
The House and Senate pass companion bills (HB 642 and SB 542) creating a regulated market.
Lawmakers reject Governor Spanberger's amendments, which would have delayed sales to July 2027 and cut the store cap from 350 to 200.
The governor vetoes the standalone bills.
The governor and the bill sponsors announce a compromise: sales on July 1, 2027, 350 retail licenses, 6% state tax.
The General Assembly approves the two-year budget carrying the retail provisions.
The Cannabis Control Authority presents draft rules to its board.
The compromise moved the retail framework into the state budget, which lawmakers passed on June 22. Our report on the draft rules covers the store-by-store details: Virginia draft cannabis rules.
What changes on July 1, 2027, and what does not
| Item | Today | From July 1, 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Adult-use retail | No stores | Up to 350 retail licenses; applications from February 1, 2027 (planned) |
| State cannabis tax | None on sales | 6% (8% from July 2029), plus 5.3% sales tax and up to 3.5% local |
| Public consumption penalty | $25 | $250 |
| Hemp THC | Regulated by the Department of Agriculture | The 25:1 hemp loophole ends and oversight moves to the CCA |
| Home grow | 4 plants | Unchanged |
Retail rules agreed in the compromise
- Possession and purchase limit
- 2 oz
- Enforcement
- Escalating penalties for ID-check failures, up to license revocation
- Store buffer
- At least 1,000 feet from schools, hospitals, playgrounds and drug treatment facilities
- Packaging and ads
- No cartoons; child-safe packaging; no products shaped like animals, fruit, vehicles or humans
- Tax revenue goes to
- Early childhood and K-12 education, substance use treatment, public health and a Cannabis Equity Reinvestment Fund
Marijuana Moment reported that the deal set a $250 civil penalty for public consumption, a middle path between the current $25 and the governor's proposal of a criminal misdemeanor. WSLS added that the Cannabis Control Authority takes over hemp oversight from the Agriculture Department and that the 25:1 hemp loophole ends.
Where to buy in the meantime
The lawful route today is a medical dispensary. The Cannabis Control Authority lists about two dozen medical dispensaries statewide; check its current list for the one nearest you. Patients need a certification from a practitioner registered with the Board of Pharmacy. The Virginia buying guide lays out the process.
Drivers should know that a legal possession limit does not create a legal driving limit: see the driving laws comparison. The Virginia hub tracks the regulator, and DC readers can compare with the District's medical-only market.
FAQ
Is weed legal in Virginia in 2026?
Possession and home growing are legal for adults 21 and older, but retail sales are not yet. Adults may carry up to two ounces in public and grow four plants per household. Licensed adult-use stores are scheduled to open on July 1, 2027.
How much weed can you carry in Virginia?
Up to two ounces in public, according to the Code of Virginia as displayed on September 29, 2026. More than two ounces up to four ounces brings a civil penalty of up to $25, and larger amounts become misdemeanors and felonies.
Can you grow weed in Virginia?
Yes. Adults 21 and older may grow up to four plants per household. Plants must be hidden from public view, kept from anyone under 21 and tagged with the grower's name, an ID number and a personal-use notation.
Why did Virginia take five years to allow sales?
The 2021 law legalized possession but delayed retail sales until after new rules. Lawmakers passed a retail framework in March 2026, the governor vetoed it, and a June 2026 compromise in the state budget set sales for July 1, 2027.
How much will cannabis be taxed in Virginia?
Under the compromise, a 6 percent state cannabis tax that rises to 8 percent from July 1, 2029, plus the 5.3 percent sales tax and an optional local tax of 1 to 3.5 percent.
Sources
- Virginia Legislative Information System — Code of Virginia § 4.1-1100: possession of marijuana · 2026
- Virginia Legislative Information System — Code of Virginia § 4.1-1101: home cultivation · 2026
- Virginia Legislative Information System — Code of Virginia § 4.1-1108: public consumption · 2026
- WSLS — Gov. Spanberger, Virginia lawmakers reveal retail cannabis market compromise · checked Jun 2026
- WVTF — A retail marijuana market on the way under budget agreement · checked Jun 2026
- Virginia Mercury — Virginia cannabis retail plan in limbo after lawmakers reject Spanberger changes · checked Apr 2026
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