If you are looking to obtain a medical marijuana card in Virginia, then you have come to the right place. This updated guide will help you navigate the process from start to finish.
Unlike most states, Virginia’s qualifying conditions list is not limited to a defined index. Instead, a licensed physician can recommend medical marijuana for any symptom or condition they think will benefit.
What is a Medical Marijuana Card?
A medical marijuana card is a document that allows you to purchase and use cannabis for your qualifying condition legally. It’s a great way to access the benefits of marijuana and save money on sales and excise tax.
To obtain a medical marijuana card in Virginia, you must be diagnosed with one or more serious medical conditions by a healthcare practitioner who is registered and certified to issue medical cannabis certificates in the state. If you’re in Ohio, you can also get a Ohio medical marijuana card if you know where to look. These healthcare practitioners include physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, podiatrists, dentists, and midwives.
Patients can use their certifications to receive up to a 60-day supply of cannabis. However, the certifying practitioner must consider any restrictions that may apply to the patient’s medical care, such as how long the patient is expected to be in a particular hospital or nursing home.
The patient can then register with the Office of Cannabis Management to receive a registry ID card for purchasing and using cannabis for their qualifying condition legally. It will be sent to the address listed in their patient portal.
You can recertify your medical marijuana card annually, but you must see a licensed physician each time to get an updated certificate. You can schedule your consultation with us on our bespoke telemedicine platform or book with a local healthcare practitioner to get your certificate.
How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card
Getting a medical marijuana card is the first step to legalizing cannabis use for treatment. A medical marijuana card allows you to purchase many state-approved medical cannabis products, including flowers, oils, vapes, edibles, patches, tinctures, lotions, and more.
If you want to know how to get a medical marijuana card in Virginia, the process is simple. You’ll need to get a medical marijuana recommendation from a registered, licensed healthcare practitioner to issue written certifications for medical cannabis use. Then, you must complete an application and pay the appropriate fees.
You’ll also need a valid, government-issued ID. You’ll need this ID whenever you visit a medical marijuana dispensary, and you’ll need to show it to the staff each time you buy cannabis.
In the past year, a lot has changed in the Virginia medical marijuana industry. Patients now have stronger protection from arrest, several medical marijuana dispensaries have opened, and the sale of flowers is legal.
However, there’s still a lot of work to do in the state. Critics say the regulations are a bit restrictive, and the number of medical marijuana dispensaries is small.
But the good news is that many doctors now recommend medical marijuana for various conditions, including chronic pain and nausea, seizures, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), multiple sclerosis, and more. You can schedule an online medical marijuana evaluation with CannabisMD TeleMed today to see your eligibility for a VA medical marijuana card.
Getting a Medical Marijuana Recommendation
Medical Marijuana is an effective treatment for several conditions, including cancer, chronic pain, epilepsy, glaucoma and PTSD. It is also reported to help patients manage nausea and weight loss and treat irritable bowel syndrome and Crohn’s disease.
Many qualified doctors are registered to provide medical marijuana recommendations in Virginia. Veriheal makes it easy for patients to find a doctor near them through their HIPAA-compliant telemedicine platform.
Once a patient’s prior medical history is received, they can schedule an appointment for a virtual evaluation with one of our licensed physicians. The physician will evaluate the patient’s condition during the visit and recommend medical cannabis.
The recommendation is then entered into the state’s medical marijuana registry. Upon approval, the patient can then register to purchase and use marijuana at licensed dispensaries in the state.
To legally purchase marijuana, a patient must have a written certification from a practitioner registered with the Board of Pharmacy. This must be in their possession when they go to a dispensary.
Medical marijuana may be purchased as flowers, tinctures, vapes, edibles, lotions, concentrates and sprays at licensed dispensaries in Virginia. These products are all independently tested by third-party laboratories to ensure that the label on the product is accurate and the patient knows what they are putting into their body.
Applying for a Medical Marijuana Card
To get a medical marijuana card in Virginia, you must visit a doctor and be evaluated for qualifying conditions. This can be done by a licensed doctor, physician assistant or nurse practitioner registered with the state Board of Pharmacy.
When you visit your doctor, they will ask you about the symptoms you are experiencing and will examine your medical records. If they believe you could benefit from using cannabis, they will then provide you with a written certification. This document will then be submitted to the Virginia Department of Health and used as proof that you are qualified to purchase marijuana at dispensaries in the state.
Your certified doctor will send you a copy of your certificate, which you can keep in your wallet or show at a dispensary to prove you have a valid MMJ recommendation. You can then buy cannabis at a dispensary to help manage your condition.
Once you have your Virginia medical marijuana card, you must renew it yearly. The renewal fee is $50 for patients and $25 for caregivers. You must also submit any documentation that has changed since you last applied for your card.
