Virginia Law

Article 7. Controlled Paraphernalia.

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 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 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 that is adapted for the production of controlled drugs under circumstances 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. "Controlled paraphernalia" does not include narcotic testing products used to determine whether a controlled substance contains fentanyl or a fentanyl analog.

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 continue to be used for the legitimate purposes for which they were obtained.

F. The provisions of this section and of § 18.2-265.3 shall not apply to (i) a person who dispenses naloxone in accordance with the provisions of subsection Y of § 54.1-3408 and who, in conjunction with such dispensing of naloxone, dispenses or distributes hypodermic needles and syringes for injecting such naloxone or (ii) a person who possesses naloxone that has been dispensed in accordance with the provisions of subsection Y of § 54.1-3408 and possesses hypodermic needles and syringes for injecting such naloxone in conjunction with such possession of naloxone.

G. The provisions of this section and of § 18.2-265.3 shall not apply to (i) a person who possesses or distributes controlled paraphernalia on behalf of or for the benefit of a comprehensive harm reduction program established pursuant to § 32.1-45.4 or (ii) a person who possesses controlled paraphernalia obtained from a comprehensive harm reduction program established pursuant to § 32.1-45.4.

1971, Ex. Sess., cc. 210, 245; 1976, c. 614; 1988, c. 765; 2016, c. 229; 2018, c. 97; 2019, c. 215; 2020, c. 839.

A. Distribution by any method, of any hypodermic needles or syringes, gelatin capsules, quinine or any of its salts, in excess of one-fourth ounce shall be restricted to licensed pharmacists or to others who have received a license or a permit from the Board.

B. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the dispensing or distributing of hypodermic needles and syringes by persons authorized by the State Health Commissioner pursuant to a comprehensive harm reduction program established pursuant to § 32.1-45.4 who are acting in accordance with the standards and protocols of such program for the duration of the declared public health emergency.

C. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the dispensing or distributing of hypodermic needles and syringes by persons authorized to dispense naloxone in accordance with the provisions of subsection Y of § 54.1-3408 and who, in conjunction with such dispensing of naloxone, dispenses or distributes hypodermic needles and syringes. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the dispensing of hypodermic needles and syringes for the administration of prescribed drugs by prescribers licensed to dispense Schedule VI controlled substances at a nonprofit facility pursuant to § 54.1-3304.1.

D. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A, nothing in this section shall prohibit the distribution of hypodermic needles that are designed to be used with a reusable injector pen for the administration of insulin.

1971, Ex. Sess., cc. 210, 245; 1988, c. 765; 2017, c. 183; 2018, c. 97; 2020, cc. 609, 610; 2023, cc. 142, 143.

In dispensing any device, item or substance, the pharmacist or other licensed or permitted person referred to in § 54.1-3467 shall:

1. Require the person requesting such device, item or substance to furnish suitable identification, including proof of age when appropriate;

2. Require the person requesting such item, device or substance to furnish written legitimate purposes for which such item, device or substance is being purchased, except in cases of telephone orders for such item, device or substance from customers of known good standing;

3. At the time of dispensing, make and keep a record showing the date of dispensing, the name and quantity of the device, item or substance, the price at which it was sold, the name and address of the person to whom the device, item or substance was dispensed, the reason for its purchase and enter his initials thereon.

No such devices, substances or items shall be sold or distributed to persons under the age of sixteen years except by a physician for legitimate purposes or upon his prescription. Records shall be maintained pursuant to this chapter and the Board's regulations and shall be made available for inspection to any law-enforcement officer or agent of the Board. Persons violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

1971, Ex. Sess., cc. 210, 245; 1988, c. 765.

Each person, association or corporation which has lawfully obtained possession of any of the controlled paraphernalia mentioned in § 54.1-3467 shall exercise reasonable care in the storage, usage and disposition of such devices or substances to ensure that they are not diverted for reuse for any purposes other than those for which they were lawfully obtained. Any person who permits or causes, directly or indirectly, such controlled paraphernalia to be used for any other purpose than that for which it was lawfully obtained shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

1971, Ex. Sess., cc. 210, 245; 1988, c. 765.

A. No person shall obtain or attempt to obtain any item, device or substance referred to in § 54.1-3467 by fraud, deceit, misrepresentation, or subterfuge or by giving a false name or a false address.

B. No person shall furnish false or fraudulent information in or omit any information from, or willfully make a false statement in obtaining or attempting to obtain any of the instruments or substances referred to in § 54.1-3467.

C. No person shall, for the purpose of obtaining any such instrument or substance, falsely claim to be a manufacturer, wholesaler, pharmacist, practitioner of the healing arts, funeral director, embalmer or veterinarian.

Persons violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

1971, Ex. Sess., cc. 210, 245; 1988, c. 765.

The Board shall, upon written application, on a form furnished by the Board, issue a permit to any person other than a licensed pharmacist who in the usual course of business sells any item referred to in § 54.1-3467 as a wholesale distributor or distributes at retail to any persons who own or breed or raise livestock, poultry, or other animals to which such items, devices or substances are customarily given to or used upon in the interest of health, safety, or good husbandry. This permit shall not authorize the sale or distribution of these items, devices or substances for human use and the permitted person shall exercise reasonable diligence to assure that the items distributed are not for the purpose of human consumption.

1971, Ex. Sess., cc. 210, 245; 1988, c. 765.

The provisions of this article shall not apply to legitimate distribution by or possession of controlled paraphernalia by physicians, dentists, podiatrists, veterinarians, funeral directors and embalmers.

1971, Ex. Sess., cc. 210, 245; 1988, c. 765.