18VAC76-20-30: Criteria for granting waivers of the reporting requirements

A. The director may grant a waiver of all or some of the reporting requirements established in § 54.1-2521 of the Code of Virginia to an individual or entity who files a request in writing on a form provided by the department and who meets the criteria for such a waiver.

B. Criteria for a waiver of the reporting requirements shall include a history of compliance with laws and regulations by the dispensers regularly practicing at that location and may include, but not be limited to:

1. A substantial hardship created by a natural disaster or other emergency beyond the control of the dispenser; or

2. Dispensing in a controlled research project approved by a regionally accredited institution of higher education or under the supervision of a governmental agency.

C. Consistent with the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq. of the Code of Virginia), a waiver may be granted by a subordinate designated by the director on a case-by-case basis, subject to terms and conditions stated in an order with a specified time period and subject to being vacated. An appeal of the initial decision may be filed with the director who shall appoint an informal fact-finding conference, which shall thereafter make a recommendation to the director. The decision of the director shall be final.