MMJ In Virginia: Everything A Medical Marijuana Patient Needs To Know
Virginia legalized some forms of medical marijuana in a very limited way in 2017. This initial MMJ legislation only allowed patients suffering from intractable epilepsy to use cannabis oil. But in the years since 2017, lawmakers have steadily improved Virginia’s medical marijuana program and made it accessible to a wider range of people.
Recently, Virginia legalization has changed in several ways. In 2020, the law changed to allow patients with any medical condition to receive a doctor’s recommendation to use and purchase medical marijuana products containing a maximum 10 milligrams of THC. In 2021, it became legal for Virginia MMJ patients to use medical marijuana flower and to be protected from being fired by their employers for using MMJ outside work.
MMJ in Virginia is becoming more available, and the program is now able to help more people. Read on for everything a medical marijuana patient needs to know about MMJ in Virginia.
Is MMJ Legal In Virginia?
Yes, various forms of medical marijuana are now legal in Virginia. Recreational marijuana is also legal in Virginia, but it is illegal to purchase and must be grown at home. Medical-grade marijuana can be purchased, but only by registered MMJ patients.
Does Virginia Have Medical Dispensaries?
Virginia has five medical marijuana dispensaries, but these are quite different to dispensaries found in other legal-MMJ states. Medical marijuana products are produced and sold in Virginia by businesses called “pharmaceutical processors”. The Virginia Board of Pharmacy has issued permits to five pharmaceutical processors, with one located in each health service area.
Can I Go To A Dispensary Without A Card In Virginia?
From July 1, 2022, MMJ patients will not need to get a Board Registration card from the Virginia Board of Pharmacy in order to go to a dispensary and buy MMJ products. They will only require a Written Certification for the Use of Medical Cannabis from a Registered Practitioner for Medical Cannabis. They can present this along with government-issued ID to purchase MMJ.
Up until July 1st, MMJ patients will need to show a Board Registration card, Written Certification, and government-issued ID to buy at Virginian dispensaries. Patients can still get a Board Registration card after July 1st for a cost of $50.
What Are The Qualifying Conditions For Medical Marijuana In Virginia?
Patients can be prescribed medical marijuana in Virginia for any medical condition that a Registered Practitioner for Medical Cannabis believes would benefit from MMJ treatment. Some of the most common conditions that patients avail of MMJ treatment in Virginia for are:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
- 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
- Migraine
- Multiple sclerosis
- Parkinson’s disease
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Sickle cell anemia
- Tourette syndrome
Where Can You Obtain MMJ In Virginia?
You can obtain medical marijuana in Virginia at one of the state’s five licensed pharmaceutical processors. These are located at:
- Manassas
- Abingdon
- Salem
- Richmond
- Portsmouth
Patients can also cultivate up to four marijuana plants per household.
What Can You Buy At Virginia MMJ Dispensaries?
Virginia MMJ dispensaries sell:
- Medical marijuana flower
- Edibles
- Cannabis oils
- Vapes
- Tinctures
- Creams
Image by timmorresette on Pixabay: Where can you obtain MMJ in Virginia?
What Is The Application Process For A Medical Marijuana Card In Virginia?
The first step in getting a medical marijuana card in Virginia is to have a medical consultation with a Registered Practitioner for Medical Cannabis. This can be done remotely at the MMJRecs online clinic.
Once the practitioner decides you will benefit from MMJ treatment, they will write you a Certification for the Use of Medical Cannabis. From July 1, this certificate will enable you to purchase MMJ in Virginia dispensaries. If you also want to get an MMJ card, you must submit an online application to the Virginia Department of Health Professions and Board of Pharmacy.
How Much Medical Marijuana Can You Possess In Virginia?
In Virginia, you can possess:
- A 90-day supply
- A maximum of four ounces of marijuana flower for every 30 days
- Four marijuana plants per household
Does Virginia Accept Out-Of-State Medical Marijuana Cards?
Virginia dispensaries do not accept out-of-state MMJ cards.
Featured image by STEPHEN POORE on Unsplash