Cannabis laws have undergone a rapid transformation in Virginia. In the fall of 2020, the sale of medical marijuana officially began, and on July 1, 2021, the state moved to fully legalize recreational cannabis consumption and possession, with retail sales in the Commonwealth slated to begin in 2024. But until then, purchasing cannabis in the state will require a medical marijuana card
The demand for MMJ cards has grown quickly: over 1,000 Virginians are now applying for one every week. The process of getting an MMJ card in VA has gotten simpler and easier. If you’re interested in getting medical marijuana in Virginia, here’s what you need to know to apply.
Quick Guide to Virginia MMJ
There are three basic steps to getting a medical marijuana card in Virginia.
- Determine Your Eligibility: To be eligible, you must be diagnosed with a medical condition that will benefit from medical marijuana treatment.
- Get a Certification from a Physician: Obtain a written certification recommendation from a registered Virginia physician.
- Complete the Application: Complete an Initial Application Form and submit it to the Virginia Board of Pharmacy.
How to Get a Virginia Medical Marijuana Card in Three Steps
Determine Your Eligibility
Unlike most other state medical marijuana programs, qualifying conditions in Virginia are not limited to a defined list: any symptom or condition that a certified physician thinks will benefit from medical marijuana treatment can grant you eligibility.
Other basic requirements include that you are a Virginia resident with valid proof of residency (current Driver’s License or State ID card), and are over the age of 18. If you’re under 18, a legal guardian or parent is required to apply as a registered agent to buy medical marijuana for a minor.
Although any symptom or condition may qualify you for an MMJ card in Virginia, these are some of the most common:
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
- Anxiety
- Autism
- Cachexia and wasting syndrome
- Cancer (associated with severe/chronic pain, nausea or severe vomiting, or cachexia or severe wasting syndrome)
- Glaucoma
- Crohn’s Disease
- Chronic Pain
- Epilepsy and other seizure disorders
- Fibromyalgia
- Glaucoma
- Hepatitis C
- Huntington’s Disease
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
- Multiple sclerosis
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Sickle Cell Anemia
- Tourette’s Syndrome
Get a Medical Marijuana Certification
If you’re a resident of Virginia with a condition or symptom that warrants medical marijuana, the next requirement for your medical marijuana application is to get a certification from a state-certified doctor.
If your doctor believes that medical marijuana is an appropriate treatment option for you, they will provide a signed certification for you to submit as part of your application to the Virginia Board of Pharmacy. You can sign up with Heally to book an online appointment with a marijuana doctor in your state.
For your appointment, come prepared with a valid photo ID and some form of proof of your medical condition. This could include medical records, office visit summaries, or a note from your healthcare professional.
Complete the Application
Once you have certification from a medical marijuana doctor, you can complete the application process. Start by creating a profile with Virginia’s Board of Pharmacy. You will then need to submit your completed Physician Written Certification, a copy of a valid photo ID with a name and address that matches your application, and include a payment of $50 for patients or $25 for parent/legal guardian registering for a minor.
You should count on it taking up to 30 business days for processing the registration application. You
will receive an email if additional information is needed to successfully process the application or if you have been approved. If approved your registration card will be mailed to you, and you will be able to purchase medical marijuana from licensed Virginia dispensaries!
