How To Get a Medical Marijuana Card in Virginia

With the passing of HB 933/SB 671, you will not need a physical card anymore for purchasing medical marijuana in Virginia, starting July 1, 2022. You just need your written certification from an approved practitioner along with your government-issued photo identification.

Joining the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority (CCA) is optional – there is an optional card for $50 for anyone looking for one. The CCA manages this process as of January 1, 2024.

Recreational cannabis use is legal in Virginia by individuals 21 years of age or older. However, obtaining the medical certification gives a patient better possession allowance, reduced taxes, job security, access at 18 years of age, and access to higher THC levels.

The CCA is responsible for overseeing the medical marijuana program in Virginia, including overseeing practitioner registration, patient registration, and licensed dispensaries.

• Website: cca.virginia.gov/medicalcannabis 
• Email: medicalcannabis@cca.virginia.gov 

Requirements to use Virginia’s medical marijuana program include the following:

• Being a citizen of Virginia (permanent or temporary resident)
• Being at least 18 years old (minors may participate only if accompanied by a parent/legal guardian)
• Having a condition that a CCA-registered practitioner considers eligible for cannabis treatment
• Providing proof of having a certification written and signed by the CCA-registered practitioner

Virginia has no list of qualifying conditions, which means that all decisions lie with the practitioner who can certify anyone suffering from any condition he/she deems appropriate. The most common ones include chronic pain, anxiety, PTSD, cancer, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, HIV/AIDS, and glaucoma, but ultimately, the choice lies with the provider.

Providers who need to certify individuals need to be registered at the CCA. Providers that qualify for certification include:

• Doctors licensed with the Virginia Board of Medicine
• Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine licensed with the Virginia Board of Medicine
• Advanced practice registered nurse jointly licensed with the Virginia Boards of Medicine and Nursing

Video evaluation is fully accepted, and most individuals can get certified in a matter of minutes

Virginia’s process is among the simplest in the country. The core pathway takes just two steps.

Step 1: Get Certified by a CCA-Registered Practitioner

Arrange a consultation with an MD, PA, or APRN from CCA, either in-person or through telemedicine. Assuming you are eligible, your provider will give you a written certification which includes:

• Your full name and birthdate
• The name of the medical professional, along with his/her registration number at CCA
• Date of certification and its expiry period, which is valid for only one year

Additionally, your provider can authorize your registered agent to procure cannabis on your behalf through a signature on the certification.

Step 2: Visit Any Licensed Dispensary

Show your written certification and a valid ID at any legal dispensary in Virginia. There is no need to have an official cannabis card, nor to pre-register yourself at any particular place.

Optional: Voluntary State Registration ($50)

The CCA patient portal is available for voluntary registration. The voluntary cost is as follows:

• $50 for adult patients
• $25 for parents/guardians registering children

Compulsory registration (non-voluntary) applies under certain conditions:

• Parents/guardians of minors with no existing listing in the practitioner’s certification
• Agents registered, but without any mention in the patient’s certification

Send in ID proof, proof of residency, age proof, and certification through the CCA portal. You will receive a digital card on successful registration and can print or download the card to your phone.

Show your certification as well as a valid ID card at any licensed dispensary in Virginia. Medical patients can buy from both the medical menu and recreational menu at almost all dispensaries.

Possession Limits

Patients with a valid certification can purchase up to 4 ounces of cannabis in 30 days – considerably more than the recreational amount limit. Medical-only products, which have a high potency level, are available through this certification.

Home Cultivation

People above the age of 21 in Virginia can cultivate up to 4 plants per residence for personal consumption. This limit is applicable to both recreational people and medical patients. No cultivation license is required for that.

Benefits Over Recreational Access

• Less taxation – medical marijuana is taxed at a lower rate compared to recreational marijuana
• Greater quantity allowed – 4 ounces in 30 days compared to recreational limits
• High-potency items – only offered to patients using medical marijuana
• Access at 18 years old – recreational users must be 21 years old
• Employer policies – employers can’t discriminate against medical cardholders or those who test positive for THC outside work hours
• Firearms: Possession prohibited by federal law for those using cannabis – consult a lawyer for more information

Virginia implements the use of agents who have registered in place of caregivers. Such an agent can buy for a patient and:

• Does not have to register at the CCA if the name appears in writing under the patient’s certification by a physician.
• Has to register at the CCA and pay $25 annually if the name does not appear in writing under the patient’s certification by a physician.
• Can serve a maximum of two patients.

Parents/legal guardians of minors have to be named in the patient’s certification, or a CCA registered, in order to be allowed to make purchases.

The state does not give reciprocity. For patients visiting the state from other states and carrying the identification from their respective state, it will be illegal to buy from the dispensaries in Virginia, though temporary residents can register by getting a certificate from an authorized doctor on the CCA list.

The certificate remains valid for one year. It can be renewed through another appointment, and no cost will apply in the process.

• Card not needed – written certification with photo ID acceptable everywhere
• No qualification criteria specified – practitioner decides who qualifies
• Voluntary registration costs $50 per patient; $25 for parents/guardians of minors
• Telemedicine is fully recognized for new certifications/renewals
• Valid for one year
• Medicinal patients can buy up to 4 ounces per 30 days
• Certified agents can make purchases on behalf of patients (a maximum of two per agent)
• Cards from other states not acceptable
• Protected from employment discrimination if used off-duty