How to get your Medical Cannabis Card in Virginia

Call Canna Care Docs to find out how medical marjiuana can help with chronic pain, anxiety, depression and more.

Who can apply for a Virginia Medical Marijuana Identification Card?

You must be a legal resident of Virginia who is able to prove residency in order to apply for a Virginia medical cannabis card. Patients under the age of 18 must also have a parent or guardian registered as a caregiver on their behalf.

What does a Medical Marijuana Card Permit in Virginia?

Patients may purchase a 90 day supply of their medication. Patients may purchase medical cannabis in oil-based preparations such as lozenges, capsules, and vape pens. Cannabis flower is not able to be purchased at this time.

How Do I Apply for a Virginia Medical Marijuana Card with Canna Care Docs?

The first step in the process of obtaining your medical marijuana card in Virginia is to make an appointment with Canna Care Docs. You may schedule online at cannacaredocs.com/virginia/

To prepare for your appointment you will want to collect your medical records about the condition you wish to treat with medical cannabis. This can be as simple as taking a picture of a prescription bottle you have been given to treat your condition.

During your appointment, you will meet with our knowledgeable provider who will decide if medical cannabis may benefit your condition.

Upon deciding to recommend medical cannabis your provider will issue a written certification.

Our helpful team will provide step by step instructions for registering as a patient with the VA Department of Health Professionals. This process involves entering brief demographic information to register your account. You will then be asked to submit a $50 payment for your registration.

The final step is submitting your written certification and state-issued ID to the VA Board of Pharmacy. You will receive a registration card mailed to you in approximately 7-10 days.

What Does my Online Medical Marijuana Evaluation with Canna Care Docs Include?

Canna Care Docs team of professionals will walk you the whole way through the process from start to finish. The team will guide you through obtaining your medical records and getting ready to meet with our medical provider. You will have the opportunity to have an online telemedicine visit with one of our compassionate, knowledgeable medical providers who will determine if medical cannabis may be helpful to you. Once your medical provider issues a written certification for you our team will guide you through registering with the state to receive your medical cannabis card. Our caring team will also take the time to educate you about medical cannabis and how to maximize its benefits. We remain committed to your health throughout the year as we provide follow up care.

How Much Does it Cost to Get a Virginia Medical Marijuana Card?

The visit with Canna Care Docs is $150. There is also a $50 registration fee that needs to be paid to the state. We offer a $10 Veteran’s discount in appreciation of the service to our country.

What Conditions Qualify for Medical Marijuana Cards in Virginia?

A medical provider may recommend medical cannabis to treat any condition that they feel may benefit from medical cannabis and cannabinoid-based therapies.

What Documents Do I Need to Apply for a Virginia Medical Cannabis Card?

You will need a state-issued driver’s license or other documents that prove your Virginia residency, identity, and age.

You will also need a brief medical record pertaining to the condition you would like to treat with medical cannabis.

Do I Need to Present my Medical Records to Canna Care Docs?

Yes, you will be able to upload your records directly to your patient portal which you will receive access to. You may also request that your Primary Care Physician or other medical provider fax your records to us at 443-917-2279.

How Does a Caregiver Apply for a Medical Marijuana Card in Virginia? Can People under 18 Get a Medical Marijuana Card?

A minor patient under 18 can receive a medical cannabis card so long as a parent or guardian is registered as their caregiver.

When a caregiver is to be used in Virginia, the doctor will include the caregiver’s information on the written certification that they complete. The caregiver would then complete the state registration.

Can a Qualifying Patient Grow Cannabis in Virginia?

Patients are not permitted to grow medical cannabis in Virginia.

Does Virginia Have Medical Marijuana Reciprocity?

No, Virginia does not have reciprocity. The District of Columbia may at some point extend their reciprocity law to allow for Virginia patients to utilize DC dispensaries in the future. You may check to see if Virginia has been added to the states DC includes at their website: https://dchealth.dc.gov/page/frequently-asked-questions1-faqs-0

History of Medical Marijuana in Virginia 

Governor Terry McAuliffe signed House Bill 1445 and Senate Bill 1235 in March 2015. These bills created the affirmative defense for possession of THC-A oil for the treatment of epilepsy.

In 2017 Virginia began implementation of in-state production of THC-A and CBD oils. These oils are extracted by the licensed Pharmaceutical Processors that have been selected to grow, process, and dispense medical cannabis in Virginia. There can be a total of 5 Pharmaceutical Processors in the state, one for each Health Service area HSA. As of September 2020, there are 4 companies selected.

July 2020 brought substantial changes to the medical cannabis program. Medical cannabis possession was finally made fully legal. Previously written certification merely provided an affirmative defense if one was found in possession of medical cannabis. Additionally, each Pharmaceutical Processor now has the ability to open 5 additional dispensaries in their HSA.

Medical cannabis is expected to be available for purchase in the fall of 2020.

Rhode Island: now allowing out of state medical marijuana cards

Residents of Rhode Island can get their medical cannabis card from Massachusetts and Connecticut too.

In July of 2018, Rhode Island expanded compassion center access to medical marijuana patients across state lines. At that time, the state’s MMJ regulatory body outlined regulations for sales to non-residents:

-Dispensaries must use “reasonably good-faith efforts” to verify non-resident medical marijuana ID cards by asking for a second form of government-issued photo ID.

-Non-resident patients must be entered in a state database that tracks sales.

-Non-resident patients are limited to how much cannabis they can buy – 2.5 ounces of marijuana or its equivalent in other forms every 15 days.

While Canna Care Docs is in full support of expanding access to out of state patients traveling through the Ocean State, the spirit of the regulations has been misinterpreted, putting some medical cannabis patients at risk of possessing a fraudulent medical cannabis certification. Patients who are lured by the notion of receiving instant California certifications, without having to demonstrate California residency, are in violation of medical cannabis law. There are reported incidents of revocation of these “out of state cards” putting cardholders in legal harm’s way. Plus, an inability to compliantly access one of the three State compassion centers, and a financial loss of the initial certification cost.

Canna Care Docs urges potential patients to use good judgement when choosing a medical cannabis provider. While an inexpensive and speedy certification may seem like the best pathway to gain access to a compassion center, the ramifications of doing so may cost more in the long term. Feel free to phone our patient contact center at 781-382-8053 with any questions. We are here to guide you through your journey compliantly.

Do I qualify for medical cannabis?

Each state has a list of qualifying conditions for their medical marijuana program.

Get evaluated for medical marijuana with the assistance of Canna Care Docs

Each state has a list of qualifying conditions for their respective medical marijuana programs. In order to qualify for a medical marijuana card, patients must have one of those qualifying conditions. Each state has their own set of guidelines and regulations, along with those qualifying conditions that make a patient eligible for medical cannabis. Depending on the status of medical cannabis in your state, patients will need to have a specific condition in order to qualify and will need to be recommended for medical cannabis by a health professional – like Canna Care Docs.

Patients who are curious as to whether they qualify need to visit their respective state’s medical marijuana program online to see if they have a qualifying condition, as these conditions vary from state to state.

Learn how to get certified for medical marijuana

For patients who do fall within their state’s respective medical cannabis framework, they should then book an appointment directly with Canna Care Docs. Patients will have all their medical cannabis questions answered, connect with a health professional, and begin the process of becoming a medical cannabis patient. Patients must also adhere to strict guidelines for obtaining their medicine, storing, and consuming their medicine. As a part of your evaluation process, a Canna Care Docs educator will ensure you have all the information you need to follow those guidelines.