Get a West Virginia
Medical Marijuana Card

Next steps after approval

Congratulations on getting approved for your medical certification! The doctor will electronically submit your approval details to the state. Here’s a guide to what you need to do next.

Before you start, have the following ready:

• Digital passport-style photo
• Valid photo ID (WV Driver’s License, WV State ID, or Passport)
• Proof of West Virginia residency (Click here to view acceptable documentation)
• If requesting a waiver of the fee based on financial hardship (income below 200% of the federal poverty level), provide acceptable proof of income, such as W-2, recent pay stubs, proof of benefit eligibility, etc. Please do not send a payment if you are requesting a fee waiver. If the waiver is not granted, you will be notified to submit the fee at that time.

Getting Your Medical Marijuana Card:

1. Create a new user account here: https://wv-public.mycomplia.com/register.
   1. Once you have entered the registration information and submitted, you will receive an email from Complia with a link to verify your account.
2. Once your account has been verified, log into Complia, and then click Create New Application.
3. Click on New Patient Registration and then click Create Application.
4. Once the application is created, complete all required information. Each application contains multiple tabs with required data fields, question responses, and
   document uploads.
5. When you get to the Physician/Condition Information tab, choose Online – Electronic Certification and then click on the View Available Certifications green button.
6. Select the physician certification and then click Update.
7. Once you get to the Review tab, make sure all required items are completed and have a green check mark, and then click Submit. A confirmation screen will appear with the Application ID number.
8. Mail payment (check or money order payable to WV DHHR) to:
   WV Office of Medical Cannabis
   350 Capitol Street, Suite 523
   Charleston, WV 25301The Application ID number and patient name must be in the memo line of the check or money order.
9. You will be notified via email of the status of your application within 30 days.
   1. Please allow at least 30 days from submission of your application and payment before checking the status of your application.
   2. If your application is denied, you will be informed of the reason. If your application needs a correction, it will be rejected and sent back to you to correct and resubmit. You will not need to create and submit a new application. If your application is approved, your WV Medical Cannabis patient card will be issued.

Additional Resources:

• Patient Registration User Guide
• Office of Medical Cannabis Application Roadmap
• Patient Registration Checklist

How to renew your card

The process of renewing your medical card is similar to when you joined the West Virginia medical cannabis program initially. Here’s what you need to do to renew your card with Leafwell:

1. Sign in to your Leafwell account or register as a renewal patient.
2. Speak to a West Virginia-licensed physician online.
3. Get approved and your certification will be submitted directly to the state using your SSN.
4. Log into the West Virginia Office of Medical Cannabis registration portal to complete your renewal application online and make payment.
5. The state will notify you via email within 30 days. Once approved, download your digital patient card through your state account.

Next steps after renewal

Congratulations on getting approved for your renewed medical certification. Here’s a guide to what you need to do next.

Before you start, have these documents to hand:

• Digital passport-style photo
• Valid photo ID (WV Driver’s License, WV State ID, or Passport)
• Proof of West Virginia residency (Click here to view acceptable documentation)
• If requesting a waiver of the fee based on financial hardship (income below 200% of the federal poverty level), provide acceptable proof of income, such as W-2, recent pay stubs, proof of benefit eligibility, etc. Please do not send a payment if you are requesting a fee waiver. If the waiver is not granted, you will be notified to submit the fee at that time.

How to renew your West Virginia medical marijuana card

1. Log into your existing account: https://wv-public.mycomplia.com/#!/signin.
2. Click Create New Application.
3. Select Patient Renewal and then click Create Application.
4. Select your license number beginning with PAT00 and then click Save.
5. Next, select from the tabs any information that you need to correct. Otherwise, the information from your original application will remain the same.
6. When you get to the Physician/Condition Information tab, choose Online – Electronic Certification and then click on the View Available Certifications green button.
7. Select the physician certification and then click Update.
8. Once you get to the Review tab, make sure all required items are completed and have a green check mark, and then click Submit. A confirmation screen will appear with the Application ID number.
   1. Mail payment (check or money order payable to WV DHHR) to:
      WV Office of Medical Cannabis
      350 Capitol Street, Suite 523
      Charleston, WV 25301The Application ID number and patient name must be on the memo line of the check or money order.
9. You will be notified via email of the status of your application within 30 days.
   1. Please allow at least 30 days from submission of your application and payment before checking the status of your application.
   2. If your application is denied, you will be informed of the reason. If your application needs a correction, it will be rejected and sent back to you to correct and resubmit. You will not need to create and submit a new application. If your application is approved, your WV Medical Cannabis patient card will be issued.

Click here for the state renewal guide with screenshots.

Legal limitations for cardholders

West Virginia residents and visitors should be aware of the marijuana state laws. See some of the key ones below.

• Medical Marijuana Law: ​​​​​​​​​​Senate Bill 386, signed into law on April 19, 2017, by Governor Jim Justice, created the West Virginia Medical Cannabis Act that allows for cannabis to be used for certified medical use by a West Virginia resident with a serious medical condition.
• No Public Consumption: Patients can not consume medical cannabis products in public places.
• No Driving Under the Influence: Patients can not drive or operate motor vehicles under the influence of cannabis.
• Home Grow is Illegal: Patients cannot cultivate cannabis regardless of their medical condition.
• Adult-use Remains Illegal: Recreational cannabis remains illegal in West Virginia. Possession of small amounts of cannabis is punishable by anywhere from 90 days to 6 months in prison and up to $1,000 in fines.
• Limited Product Availability at a WV Medical Cannabis Dispensary: As we have mentioned, patients are not allowed to smoke cannabis or consume edibles. The state of West Virginia allows medical marijuana patients to purchase a 30-day supply of cannabis. Currently, medical cannabis cardholders are only allowed to consume and possess the following forms of cannabis:
  • Dermal patches
  • Flower (vaporization or nebulization only) – up to four ounces may be acquired per month; for concentrates, the limit is 20 grams per month
  • Liquid
  • Nebulized forms
  • Oil
  • Pills
  • Tinctures
  • Topicals
• Hemp Derivatives are Legal: West Virginia currently allows CBD without exception. Delta-8 products and other synthetic cannabinoids are also legal, although legislation that would ban such products in the state has been introduced. While West Virginians can currently buy delta-8 products, it is possible that this could change soon.
• Telemedicine is Allowed: West Virginia permits patients to receive certification through telehealth providers like Leafwell.

How to become a caregiver

Minor patients will require a parent or legal guardian as a caregiver.

Caregiver Requirements:

• Minimum 21 years old.
  • Certain circumstances may allow someone under 21 years old to be a caregiver. The patient and caregiver will need to contact the program.
• A background check is required.

Caregiver Registration (State):

There are two parts to the caregiver registration process: the authorization form and the caregiver application.

• The caregiver or parent/legal guardian will apply after the patient has received approval from the Office of Medical Cannabis (OMC).
• Complete the Patient Authorization for Designation of Caregiver form.
  • Your physician does not need to sign it. A notary must sign the form.
• Complete the Criminal Background Check Rights Acknowledgement form.
  • Documents referenced on the form can be found here.
• Submit federal and state criminal history records (background check).
  • There is a $50 fee. The bureau may waive or reduce the fee in cases of demonstrated financial hardship.
• Caregivers must also submit fingerprints for a criminal background check through IdentoGo.
• Submit the completed forms with the caregiver application.

Can I use a West Virginia medical cannabis card in other states?

West Virginia does not currently accept out-of-state medical marijuana cards. The state could create reciprocity agreements with similarly regulated states to allow terminally ill cancer patients to purchase medical cannabis. No such arrangements have been made as of December 2023.

The following states and territories recognize West Virginia medical marijuana cards:

• 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 process with the state program.

Minor medical cannabis patient information

For a patient under 18 to participate in the medical marijuana program, they will need a caregiver to apply on their behalf.