Understanding the consequences of marijuana use among Virginia students

May 09, 2013

Understanding the consequences of marijuana use among Virginia students

Article provided by Anderson & Mulrine, PLLC
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A certain amount of experimentation is a normal and healthy part of teenage life. Most teens will end up changing hairstyles, music tastes and even their group of friends a number of times before they graduate from high school. This is only natural as teens work to figure out who they are and who they want to be.

It is important to remember, though, that Virginia teens can get into serious trouble if this experimenting involves using or selling illegal drugs. Even getting caught with marijuana can have significant legal consequences.

According to a December 2012 report from the Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community Services, 20 percent of Fairfax County 12th-graders admitted to using marijuana at least once within the 30 days before they were surveyed. Thirteen percent of Fairfax County 10th graders reported the same. In total, approximately one-third of all students surveyed had used some form of drugs or alcohol in the previous 30 days.

This marijuana use can have real consequences. A new report from the Falls Church-area high schools shows that 10 students in four high schools were arrested for marijuana crimes during the 2011-12 school year. As of April 30, another eight had been arrested during the 2012-13 school year. The schools say that most of these arrests were for possessing marijuana, not for selling it.

Virginia marijuana penalties

While these statistics are just a snapshot of the issue in one part of the state, it is important for parents and students to recognize that marijuana use has real consequences. Even if students are not abusing marijuana, they can face serious repercussions if they are caught with it.

No criminal case is exactly the same, and, after an arrest, prosecutors will take into account a number of factors including the student's age and the nature of the offense.

In Virginia, possessing less than a half-ounce of marijuana is considered a misdemeanor offense. A first offense can bring up to 30 days in jail and a $500 fine, while subsequent offenses can bring up to a year in jail and a $2,500 fine. The sale or possession of anything more than a half-ounce is a felony that carries a mandatory minimum sentence of at least one and up to 10 years imprisonment. The penalties may be different for juveniles who are adjudicated delinquent.

There are also a number of non-criminal consequences that could follow. Every person convicted of a marijuana offense in Virginia is required to surrender his or her driver's license for at least six months. In addition, a marijuana conviction can render students ineligible for some forms of post-secondary financial aid and can pose a significant impediment to finding a good job later in life. Students may also be suspended from school and kicked off of school sports teams.

Working with an experienced defense attorney

The consequences of a marijuana conviction are too serious to take lightly. If you or your child has been arrested for selling or possessing marijuana, it is important to take immediate action. Talk to an experienced criminal defense attorney who knows how to help Virginia students protect their futures.