CHAPTER 229
An Act to amend and reenact §54.1-3466 of the Code of
Virginia, relating to possession of controlled paraphernalia.
[H 170]
Approved March 4, 2016
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That §54.1-3466 of the Code of Virginia is amended and
reenacted as follows:
§54.1-3466. Possession or distribution of controlled
paraphernalia; meaning of controlled paraphernalia; evidence; exceptions.
Except as authorized in this chapter, it shall be a
misdemeanor for any person to possess or distribute controlled paraphernalia
which shall mean A. For purposes of this chapter, "controlled
paraphernalia" means (i) a hypodermic syringe, needle, or other
instrument or implement or combination thereof adapted for the administration
of controlled dangerous substances by hypodermic injections under circumstances
which that reasonably indicate an intention to use such controlled
paraphernalia for purposes of illegally administering any controlled drug or
(ii) gelatin capsules, glassine envelopes, or any other container
suitable for the packaging of individual quantities of controlled drugs in
sufficient quantity to and under circumstances which that
reasonably indicate an intention to use any such item for the illegal
manufacture, distribution, or dispensing of any such controlled drug. Evidence
of such circumstances shall include, but not be limited to, close proximity of
any such controlled paraphernalia to any adulterants or equipment commonly used
in the illegal manufacture and distribution of controlled drugs including, but
not limited to, scales, sieves, strainers, measuring spoons, staples and
staplers, or procaine hydrochloride, mannitol, lactose, quinine, or any
controlled drug, or any machine, equipment, instrument, implement,
device, or combination thereof which that is adapted for
the production of controlled drugs under circumstances which that
reasonably indicate an intention to use such item or combination thereof to
produce, sell, or dispense any controlled drug in violation of the provisions
of this chapter.
B. Except as authorized in this chapter, it is unlawful for
any person to possess controlled paraphernalia.
C. Except as authorized in this chapter, it is unlawful for
any person to distribute controlled paraphernalia.
D. A violation of this section is a Class 1 misdemeanor.
E. The provisions of this section shall not apply to
persons who have acquired possession and control of controlled paraphernalia in
accordance with the provisions of this article or to any person who owns or is
engaged in breeding or raising livestock, poultry, or other animals to
which hypodermic injections are customarily given in the interest of health,
safety, or good husbandry; or to hospitals, physicians, pharmacists, dentists,
podiatrists, veterinarians, funeral directors and embalmers, persons to whom a
permit has been issued, manufacturers, wholesalers, or their authorized
agents or employees when in the usual course of their business, if the
controlled paraphernalia lawfully obtained continues continue to
be used for the legitimate purposes for which they were obtained.
|