How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card in Virginia

Virginia's medical marijuana program is not the same as that of other states. Rather than completing an application, patients can buy MMJ once they receive a doctor's certification. Technically, the state's law says that MMJ patients can't be prosecuted for buying, possessing and using marijuana rather than having a clearly defined program. Nonetheless, medical marijuana is available in Virginia, and you can find out how to access it below.
01

Fill Out the Submission Form Above

The first step to becoming a MMJ patient in Virginia is to schedule a consultation with a Virginia Board of Pharmacy-registered practitioner. MMJCardOnline can help put you in touch with one by filling out the submission form above.

02

Get Certified

Physicians, a Physician’s Assistant, or a Nurse Practioner registered with the Virginia Board of Pharmacy can provide a written certification for a patient if they deem that medical marijuana would be an effective treatment for the patient’s condition.

03

Visit a Dispensary

With a written recommendation from a registered healthcare practitioner in Virginia, you can visit a dispensary and purchase cannabis products. It is advisable to pre-register with the nearest state-licensed dispensary to shorten the amount of time you will have to wait to access medical marijuana in Virginia. Bring your written certification with you and a valid form of ID with you to the dispensary, such as a Virginia driver’s license.

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How to Apply for a Medical Marijuana Card in Virginia
- A Step-by-Step Guide

  • Check your eligibility
  • Schedule an appointment with a registered healthcare practitioner in Virginia (MMJCardOnline can help put you in touch with one quickly)
  • Attend your appointment and receive a written recommendation from the registered healthcare practitioner
  • Pre-register with the nearest state-licensed dispensary in Virginia
  • Visit that dispensary, bring your written certification and a valid form of ID, such as a Virginia driver’s license

Virginia Medical Marijuana Card Qualifying Conditions

To get certified for medical marijuana in Virginia, you must meet the following criteria:

  • Be 18 or older (parents or legal guardians must apply on behalf of a minor)
  • Be Virginia residents and provide proof of residency in the state (a Virginia driver’s license is one example of an acceptable form of proof of residency and ID)

Patient Qualifying Conditions

In most cases, states with medical marijuana programs restrict applications to patients with a qualifying medical condition. However, in Virginia, if a registered healthcare practitioner determines that medical marijuana could be a beneficial treatment for your condition, they can, at their own discretion, provide you with a written certification.

General Guidelines

In the next sections, we will outline how to renew your Virginia medical marijuana card and provide you with important information regarding caregiver rules.

Medical Marijuana Card Renewal in Virginia

Renewing your medical marijuana certification in Virginia involves scheduling another consultation with a registered healthcare practitioner in Virginia. If they think it is necessary to certify you for another year, they will do so.

Caregiver Rules

In Virginia, caregivers are referred to as “registered agents.” The process entails completing two application forms as well as a large amount of paperwork. The registration fee is $25, and each agent can assist up to two patients.

History of Cannabis in Virginia

Technically, medical marijuana was legalized in Virginia in 1979 for patients with a doctor’s prescription. In reality, however, it would take several decades for medical marijuana to become widely available in Virginia.

In 2015, Governor McAuliffe passed legislation enabling a medical exemption for prescribed cannabis oils. House Bill 1445 and Senate Bill 1235 established an “affirmative defense” to prosecution for those with a doctor’s recommendation for CBD oil or THC-A oil to treat epilepsy.

In April 2020, Gov. Northam signed Senate Bill 1015 into law, which stated that no one could be jailed, prosecuted, or denied any privilege because they participated in Virginia’s medical cannabis program. In October 2020, the state’s first medical marijuana dispensary opened.

Until July 1, 2022, patients applying for a Virginia medical marijuana card had to register with the state Board of Pharmacy. It was quite a drawn-out process that entailed a lot of paperwork, and it could take up to sixty days for a patient to receive their Virginia medical marijuana card.

The process changed dramatically for the better when Governor Youngkin signed a significant piece of legislation into law in April 2022. The new law permitted patients who had received a written certification from a healthcare practitioner to purchase cannabis products at Virginia dispensaries.

Furthermore, patients no longer had to register with the Virginia Board of Pharmacy, which enabled people to access medical marijuana much sooner.

The Old Dominion became the first state in the South to legalize adult-use recreational marijuana on April 7, 2021. As of July 1, 2021, adults aged at least 21 can possess up to one ounce of marijuana. Adult-use sales, however, will not commence in Virginia until January 1, 2024. As a result, you face consequences for illegally purchasing marijuana in Virginia.

The “reenactment clause” requires the bill to be passed again. The only aspect of Virginia’s marijuana legalization measure that passed was the legalization of the substance! Provisions for marijuana production, licensing, sales, distribution, and regulation, among other things, did not pass! As a result, claiming that recreational marijuana is already legal in Virginia is misleading.

In the interim, visiting a healthcare practitioner and getting a written certification is necessary to access medical marijuana in Virginia.

Virginia Medical Marijuana Laws and Rules

Adults aged at least 21 are permitted to have up to 1oz of marijuana in their possession. If you are caught with up to four ounces of the substance, the fine is just $25 because the offense is considered a civil violation.

Selling more than an ounce is a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Selling marijuana to a minor at least three years younger than you is a felony punishable by up to 50 years in prison.

On the plus side, Virginia’s recreational marijuana law ensured that marijuana violations were erased on July 1, 2021. This follows the state’s plan to seal basic marijuana possession records in 2020. All marijuana records, including arrests, prosecutions, and convictions for misdemeanor or basic possession, will be automatically sealed in state and private databases by July 1, 2025.

What Types of Cannabis Can I Purchase in Virginia?

Marijuana products are available in various forms, including tinctures, lotions, oils, sprays, capsules, botanical cannabis, and gels.

How Much Cannabis Can I Buy and Possess?

THC-A oil or CBD oil can only be purchased with a maximum of 10mg of THC per dose. A “dose” is a single unit of measurement, such as one capsule. “Dosage” refers to the amount of medication taken each time.

Products must also include at least 5mg of CBD or THC-A per administered dose. Patients are limited to a 90-day supply, so the amount varies from one patient to the next. According to the MMJ statute, patients can obtain up to 4oz of cannabis flower every 30 days, which is factored into the patient’s overall 90-day supply.

Where can I Legally Purchase MMJ in Virginia?

You can purchase medical marijuana products in these licensed dispensaries in Virginia.

Beyond Hello Cannabis Dispensary, with outlets in:

  • Alexandria
  • Arlington
  • Fairfax
  • Manassas
  • Sterling

Rise Dispensary, with outlets in:

  • Abingdon
  • Bristol (opening soon)
  • Christiansburg
  • Lynchburg
  • Salem

GLeaf Medical Cannabis Dispensary, with outlets in:

  • Colonial Heights
  • Manchester
  • Short Pump

Cannabist, with outlets in:

  • Carytown
  • Hampton
  • Norfolk
  • Portsmouth
  • Virginia Beach
  • Williamsburg

Can I Take my MMJ to a Different State?

No. Marijuana remains federally illegal under the Controlled Substances Act. It is thus unlawful to travel across state lines with marijuana in your possession.

FAQ About Getting an MMJ Card in Virginia

How long does it take to get a Medical Marijuana Card in Virginia?

Until July 1, 2022 (the date when patients no longer had to register with the Virginia Board of Pharmacy), it used to take up to sixty days for an application to be reviewed and approved. Now, with a written recommendation from a healthcare practitioner in Virginia, you can visit a dispensary. However, as mentioned above, it is advisable to pre-register with the dispensary in advance to avoid waiting a long time to access medical marijuana.

What if I'm not approved after my initial consultation with a Virginia MMJ physician?

Users of MMJCardOnline have an extremely high approval rate. Please read the information in this guide before applying. In the unlikely event you're not approved, you will receive a full refund.

How much is it for a Medical Card in Virginia?

As it is no longer required to register with the Virginia Board of Pharmacy, patients do not have to pay a registration fee. However, new patients and those seeking re-certification for another year have to pay a consultation fee to obtain a written certification. The cost varies depending on the fee a given healthcare practitioner charges, but some charge over $200. MMJCardOnline can help put you in touch with one of our partners, potentially saving you a considerable amount of money.

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