18.2-255 - Distribution of certain drugs to persons under 18 prohibited; penalty. - Virginia Statutes

§ 18.2-255. Distribution of certain drugs to persons under 18 prohibited;penalty.

A. Except as authorized in the Drug Control Act, Chapter 34 (§ 54.1-3400 etseq.) of Title 54.1, it shall be unlawful for any person who is at least 18years of age to knowingly or intentionally (i) distribute any drug classifiedin Schedule I, II, III or IV or marijuana to any person under 18 years of agewho is at least three years his junior or (ii) cause any person under 18years of age to assist in such distribution of any drug classified inSchedule I, II, III or IV or marijuana. Any person violating this provisionshall upon conviction be imprisoned in a state correctional facility for aperiod not less than 10 nor more than 50 years, and fined not more than$100,000. Five years of the sentence imposed for a conviction under thissection involving a Schedule I or II controlled substance or one ounce ormore of marijuana shall be a mandatory minimum sentence. Two years of thesentence imposed for a conviction under this section involving less than oneounce of marijuana shall be a mandatory minimum sentence.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person who is at least 18 years of age toknowingly or intentionally (i) distribute any imitation controlled substanceto a person under 18 years of age who is at least three years his junior or(ii) cause any person under 18 years of age to assist in such distribution ofany imitation controlled substance. Any person violating this provision shallbe guilty of a Class 6 felony.

(Code 1950, § 54-524.103; 1970, c. 650; 1972, c. 798; 1975, cc. 14, 15; 1976,c. 614; 1979, c. 435; 1982, c. 462; 1990, cc. 720, 864, 866; 1992, cc. 708,724; 2000, cc. 1020, 1041; 2004, c. 461.)