How Do I Get a Medical Marijuanas Card in Virginia?

Whether you’re a Virginia resident considering applying for an MMJ card or if you are a current cardholder looking to move to Virginia, there are steps you can take to secure your medical marijuana card online. The Virginia medical cannabis certification process can be done entirely online. 

One will first need to obtain a medical marijuana certificate from a licensed physician that they have a qualifying condition. Once certified by a medical professional, patients can go through the application process online, either through the state website or telehealth providers. Read on as we go over the steps to apply, renew, and become a caregiver in Virginia. 

The United States and Legal Medical Cannabis

In the United States, medical marijuana programs have been legalized in thirty-six states and the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Medical marijuana programs allow patients with specified conditions to own, grow and utilize cannabis products to aid in managing their condition, even if recreational cannabis users are not authorized.

Approved requirements vary by state, and many programs will require patience to apply for a medical cannabis card. This process will typically include a consultation and evaluation by a physician. A primary care provider can often suggest it for medical cannabis patients with long-term or chronic conditions.

Medicinal Cannabis Use

Over fifty peer-reviewed medical studies have been conducted on the potential medicinal benefits of cannabis and its many cannabinoids and terpenes. The consensus that emerged from these studies is that cannabis can provide medical benefits for many different conditions.

While most of these studies have focused on the help of the specific cannabinoid CBD, other major and minor cannabinoids, in conjunction with terpenes, show significant promise in treating both physical and mental ailments.

VA Patient Eligibility

A Virginia medical marijuana patient must be 18 or older to visit a medical marijuana dispensary. Only those who can prove VA residency can apply for a patient id number and a medical cannabis certificate (valid state-issued driver’s license, Government ID).

A Virginia resident must also have medical records showing a diagnosis that qualifies a doctor to recommend them as a patient that can legally obtain medical marijuana.

Qualifying Conditions in Virginia

Medical marijuana laws have been approved in Virginia to some degree since the late 1990s for specific medical conditions.

 The conditions for medical marijuana treatment include THE FOLLOWING: 

• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS),
• Anxiety
• Autism
• Cachexia and wasting syndrome,
• Cancer
• Crohn’s Disease
• Chronic Pain
• Epilepsy and other seizure disorders
• Fibromyalgia
• Glaucoma
• Hepatitis C
• Huntington’s Disease
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
• Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Sickle Cell Anemia
• Tourette Syndrome
• Any other diagnosed condition or disease determined by the doctor to benefit from such use.

Steps to Apply for a Medical Card

There are a few steps to get a medical marijuana card in Virginia with the help of Leafy DOC. First, you’ll select your State to receive the most accurate and up-to-date information about the Virginia medical marijuana card process.

Skip the wait at the doctor’s office and schedule your evaluation from the comfort and convenience of your home. Submit an intake form with a few personal details and a summary of your medical history; then, we’ll help you book an on-demand telehealth appointment or schedule a convenient time for later.

Connect with the right medical marijuana doctor online in minutes and easily chat with your provider on a smartphone, computer, or tablet via phone call or video.

Our licensed physicians will evaluate your qualifying condition, address your questions and concerns, and then provide a written recommendation for medical cannabis.

Once you have the MMJ recommendation from a Virginia medical marijuana doctor, you can use that to visit Virginia medical marijuana dispensaries.

Can Leafy DOC help?

Absolutely! Not only can Leafy DOC provide a way to see a doctor via telehealth and obtain your medical card, but we also offer access to knowledgeable and helpful customer support and a personalized health coach that can guide you before and after the MMJ card process.

Our mission at Leafy DOC is to provide a seamless customer experience, educate people about cannabis, and ultimately help people get medical cards quickly and efficiently.

Additional MMJ Card Fees in VA

Virginia charges a 50 USD non-refundable fee to apply for a medical marijuana card. Registration fees for the Virginia Medical Cannabis Program may be lowered or waived for some people, including those on supplemental security income, social security disability income, and any VA state resident that may be receiving treatment.

The Renewal Process

It is recommended to renew around a month before the expiration date to have time to complete the renewal appointment and application. A Virginia medical marijuana certification expires one year after the certification date on the physician’s recommendation. New cannabis ID cards are issued upon recertification approval and paying the 50 USD renewal application fee.

How to Apply as a Caregiver

A primary caregiver is an adult over 21 legally allowed to purchase, transport, educate, and administer medical cannabis to medical marijuana patients with a valid medical card.

Over thirty states have legalized medical marijuana programs, allowing caregivers to assist qualified patients. In these locations, state legislation provides legal protection for the patient and the caregiver from criminal penalties. 

A caregiver in Virginia must be designated by the medical marijuana patient to be considered for approval. The caregiver must then prove their Virginia residency with a valid driver’s license or state identification card. A caregiver can only assist two patients at a time with medical cannabis products.  

A caregiver applying for a minor patient must include a copy of the patient’s birth certificate and be charged a registration fee of 25 USD. Once the state approves, the caregiver can purchase medical marijuana for the patient.

Where to Purchase Medical Marijuana in Virginia

Once registered for the Virginia Medical Cannabis program and received your ID card, you may wonder what’s next. There are a few ways to obtain legal, medical marijuana in Virginia as a qualified patient. 

Medical marijuana is available at five licensed Virginia dispensaries, and registered medical marijuana patients can buy various products at any dispensary statewide.

To purchase medical cannabis at dispensaries in Virginia, you’ll need a Virginia MMJ card. The Virginia Board of Pharmacy has established five zones and dispensaries offering access to medical cannabis across Virginia.

Here are a few types of cannabis products you’ll find in Virginia dispensaries: 

• Flower and Pre-Rolls
• Edibles
• Extracts
• Tinctures
• Vape Pens / Vape Cartridges

Many patients live in a cannabis home delivery zone, so you can order from a medical cannabis dispensary online and have products delivered to your home or a meetup location.