Get a Virginia Medical Marijuana Card

Next steps after approval

Congratulations on getting approved for your medical certification. Registering with the state is not required for patients. However, patients can voluntarily register with the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority to receive a digital registration card.

Before you start, have these supporting documents ready:

• Government-issued ID (driver’s license or ID card)
• Digital Written Certification (from state)
• Proof of identity and residency
  • Note: A valid Virginia ID can act as proof of residency and ID combined.

Registering with the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority

1. Create an account.
   1. Access the Medical Cannabis Portal here: https://patients.va.biotr.ac/
   2. Create an account by clicking the “Create an Account” button at the bottom of the page.
   3. Select the “Create Patient Account” button.
   4. Complete the First Name, Last Name, and Date of Birth fields.
   5. Enter your email address and create a password.
   6. You will be sent a confirmation email. Click the link in the email only once to validate your account.
2. Log back into your account and click “Applications” on the top left of the page to open a dropdown menu.
3. In the dropdown menu, select “Registered Patient Application.”
4. Complete the First Name, Last Name, Date of Birth, Phone number, Email address, Social Security Number or Virginia DMV Control Number, and current mailing address fields.
5. Answer the questions included in the application.Note: If the applicant is a parent/legal guardian of a minor or vulnerable adult, they may submit the “Parent/Legal Guardian Application.”
6. Upload your government-issued identification and written certification.
7. Sign (with your mouse) and date at the bottom of the application.
8. To make your payment, please mail a check to 333 E. Franklin Street – Ste. 200, Richmond, VA 23219.
   1. Patients: $50
   2. Parent/Legal Guardian: $25
   3. Registered Agents: $25
9. Your application will be processed within 10 days. You will be notified by email of application approval or denial.

Additional Resources:

• Creating an Account Guide
• Registered Patient Application Guide

How to renew your med card in Virginia

The process of renewing your medical cannabis card is simple in Virginia and very similar to the process of getting approved for the first time.

Renewal Application Process – Leafwell

1. Sign in to your Leafwell account or register as a renewal patient here.
2. Speak to a Virginia-licensed provider online.
3. Once approved, they will submit a digital written certification directly to the state.
4. You will receive an email from the state that provides access to a digital “Validation of Written Certification” card.
5. Go to your nearest dispensary with your digital card and a government-issued ID to shop for medical products.

Optional: Register with the state to receive a digital registered patient card ($50 fee).

Next steps after renewal

Congratulations on renewing your Virginia cannabis card with Leafwell.

Registering with the state is no longer required, but if you would like an optional digital registered patient card, you can follow the instructions below.

Renewing Your Registration with the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority

1. Log into your Medical Cannabis Portal account and click “Applications” on the top left of the page to open a dropdown menu.
2. In the dropdown menu, select “Registered Patient Application.”
3. Complete the First Name, Last Name, Date of Birth, Phone number, Email address, Social Security Number or Virginia DMV Control Number, and current mailing address fields.
4. Answer the questions included in the application.
   1. Note: If the applicant is a parent/legal guardian of a minor or vulnerable adult, they may submit the “Parent/Legal Guardian Application.”
5. Upload your government-issued identification and written certification.
6. Sign (with your mouse) and date at the bottom of the application.
7. To make your payment, please mail a check to 333 E. Franklin Street – Ste. 200, Richmond, VA 23219.
   1. Patients: $50
   2. Parent/Legal Guardian: $25
   3. Registered Agents: $25
8. Your application will be processed within 10 days. You will be notified by email of application approval or denial.

Additional Resources:

• Registered Patient Application Guide

Legal limitations for cardholders in Virginia

No State Registration Required:  As of July 1, 2022, medical cannabis patients, parents, or legal guardians are no longer required to register with the state’s Cannabis Control Authority to obtain a state-issued card to purchase cannabis at licensed medical marijuana dispensaries.

Certification from Doctor Required: Medical marijuana patients, parents, or legal guardians must still have a written medical marijuana certification from a state-licensed medical marijuana doctor, physician, or nurse practitioner to obtain medical cannabis products.

Possession Limits: The specified possession limit for medical cannabis products is a 90-day supply. Such products may contain up to 10 mg of THC per single dose.

The medical marijuana possession limit for botanical cannabis (flower) is up to four ounces per 30 days, while all other residents can only possess up to one ounce.

Recreational Use is Legal: Adult-use (recreational) marijuana is legal in Virginia as of 2021, yet recreational cannabis sales in dispensaries have yet to begin.

CBD and Delta-8:  Delta-8 THC and CBD products are legal in Virginia. The condition for its legality is that it must be derived from hemp and contain a THC concentration of less than 0.3%.

Cultivation is Allowed: Medical patients and recreational users can grow up to four marijuana plants in the privacy of their own homes.

How to become a caregiver in Virginia

The Virginia medical marijuana program refers to caregivers who are not the patient’s parent/guardian as agents. Caregivers must be at least 18 years old. An agent can enter licensed dispensaries in Virginia and assist minors and vulnerable adults purchase medical cannabis and use medical marijuana products. Agents can:

• Only care for medical cannabis patients who have received a written certification in the past 12 months.
• Serve a maximum of two patients.
• Optional: Register with Virginia’s Cannabis Control Authority. The initial registration fee is $25, and the annual renewal fee is $25.

Can I use my Virginia medical card in other states?

Virginia does not offer medical marijuana reciprocity. However, as of July 2021, adults 21 years of age or older can possess up to one ounce of recreational marijuana and grow up to four marijuana plants per household.

While Virginia does not offer reciprocity, many other states recognize out-of-state medical cards if you’re a medical cannabis patient. These states include:

• Arizona
• Arkansas *
• Delaware
• Hawaii *
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Michigan (at the dispensary’s discretion)
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey *
• New Mexico
• Oklahoma *
• Puerto Rico
• Rhode Island
• U.S. Virgin Islands *
• Utah * (up to two 21-day periods in a calendar year)
• Washington, D.C.

*Visitors must complete a visiting patient application with the state program.

Minor patient information

Leafwell providers are able to certify minor patients.

Parents/legal guardians of minors and vulnerable adults must be listed on the patient’s certification, but do not need to register with the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority.

A parent/legal guardian may choose to register with the Board if they wish to obtain an optional digital registration card.