Controlled substances; possession of an item containing residue of a substance, penalty.

Possession of an item containing less than onegram of a controlled substance; penalty. Creates a Class 1 misdemeanorfor the offense of possession of an item containing less than onegram of a controlled substance. The bill provides that upon motionof the attorney for the Commonwealth, a charge for possession ofa controlled substance classified in Schedule I or II of the Drug Control Act shall be reduced to unlawful possession of an item containingless than one gram of a controlled substance. Currently, possessionof any amount of such controlled substance is a Class 5 felony. This bill is a recommendation of the Virginia Criminal Justice Conference.