Skip to main content
US Criminal Defense.org
Menu

Virginia statute

Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-251.5 — Manufacturing, selling, giving, distributing, or possessing medetomidine or xylazine; penalties

Current through 2026 Regular Session

Part of Article 1: Drugs, Code of Virginia.

Criminal charges under this statute

Full text of Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-251.5

Statutory text current through the 2026 Regular Session. This publication reproduces the text of the Code of Virginia from the official Virginia Law Portal API published by the Virginia General Assembly's Division of Legislative Automated Systems; it is not the official Code of Virginia.

Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-251.5Primary source, current through the 2026 Regular Session
A. Any person who knowingly manufactures, sells, gives, distributes, or possesses with the intent to manufacture, sell, give, or distribute the substance medetomidine or xylazine, when intended for human consumption, is guilty of a Class 5 felony. B. Any person who knowingly possesses the substance medetomidine or xylazine, when intended for human consumption, is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. C. Notwithstanding subsections A and B, it shall not be an offense to (i) manufacture medetomidine or xylazine for legitimate veterinary use; (ii) distribute or sell medetomidine or xylazine for authorized veterinary use; (iii) possess, administer, prescribe, or dispense medetomidine or xylazine in good faith for use by animals within the course of legitimate veterinary practice; or (iv) possess or administer medetomidine or xylazine pursuant to a valid prescription from a licensed veterinarian.

Official sources

Legal terms used in this section

Questions this section answers

Is manufacturing, selling, giving, distributing, or possessing medetomidine or xylazine a felony or a misdemeanor in Virginia?

It depends on the circumstances: manufacturing, selling, giving, distributing, or possessing medetomidine or xylazine ranges from a class 1 misdemeanor to a class 5 felony in Virginia under Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-251.5.

Manufacturing, selling, giving, distributing, or possessing with intent to manufacture, sell, give, or distribute medetomidine or xylazine for human consumption: class 5 felony (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-251.5A) · Possession of medetomidine or xylazine for human consumption: class 1 misdemeanor (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-251.5B)

Which Virginia statute covers manufacturing, selling, giving, distributing, or possessing medetomidine or xylazine?

Manufacturing, selling, giving, distributing, or possessing medetomidine or xylazine is governed by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-251.5 (Manufacturing, selling, giving, distributing, or possessing medetomidine or xylazine; penalties).

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.