Marijuana Laws
As recorded December 15, 2025 · not verified as current law. Virginia law
Cannabis laws in Arlington follow Virginia’s state law. Cannabis enforcement and penalties are governed by jurisdiction law, not city-specific rules in most cases.
Personal possession of small amounts and limited home cultivation are legal for adults 21 and older. Medical cannabis is available for qualifying patients. No retail sales are currently authorized, and cannabis remains illegal under U.S. federal law.
Quick facts
- Recreational: Legal (possession)
- Medical: Legal
- Possession: Legal up to 1 oz
- Buying/Selling: No retail sales
- Tourists: Same possession rules apply
Practical guidance
Avoid cross-border transport of cannabis products. Do not assume informal tolerance equals legality.
Law Enforcement
Arlington felt laid-back until it came to the police. There were enough patrol cars to see two pass in opposite directions at a light. They stuck mostly to the main roads, but in a built-up area those roads were never far away. Neighbours, especially families, could call if smoking was visible. The Potomac River parks were a quieter choice for people without a car, and others described driving through side streets. Virginia has since changed its adult-possession rules, as covered in Marijuana Laws.
Where to Buy Marijuana
Arlington was more about who you knew than where you went. Some bored kids played at being gangsters, hippies or Rastas and might short a bag. People felt comfortable calling it out in Arlington, though the local joke was that one in five of the pretend gangsters might actually be from D.C.
Marijuana Prices
- Kind bud: US$20 per gram or US$50 for an eighth