Yes, in every way that matters to a student. Virginia legalized simple possession of marijuana for adults 21 and older in 2021, and that headline has created a dangerous amount of confusion in college towns. If you are under 21, possessing any amount of marijuana remains unlawful. The penalty for simple possession under 21 is a civil fine of $25 plus mandatory entry into a substance abuse education or treatment program, and while that sounds mild, failing to complete the program has real consequences, and the incident can still ripple into campus discipline.
Location matters too. Virginia Tech is a federally funded university, and marijuana remains illegal under federal law. Possession in a dorm or anywhere on campus violates university policy regardless of your age, and campus cases are often referred both to police and to the student conduct system. Larger quantities, distribution, selling to friends, or possession with intent to distribute remain serious crimes in Virginia for people of any age.
Students also get charged when marijuana shows up alongside something else, such as a traffic stop, a noise complaint, or a party call. What starts as a $25 civil matter can quickly become a criminal case if there are scales, baggies, larger amounts, or statements to police suggesting distribution.
If you have been cited or charged with anything marijuana related, get advice before your court date or your conduct hearing. Call Joel at 540-961-5297, and read more on his page about drug charges in Blacksburg.