Get your medical card online in minutes!

Get started

Fast, easy, and affordable

Get your Virginia medical marijuana card in minutes.

Apply now

How to Get a Medical Card in Virginia.

  1. 1

    Register Online with Leafwell

    It’s quick and easy to get your Virginia medical marijuana card! Plus, all your data and medical records are secure on our state-of-the-art telemedicine platform.

  2. 2

    Discuss Medical Marijuana with Your Doctor

    Book an appointment with a certified physician with Leafwell. This consultation fee is $149 for an examination.

  3. 3

    Receive Your Certificate From Leafwell

    Attend your online appointment and get a medical cannabis certificate online from a state-licensed physician. The process is quick, simple and HIPAA-compliant. Most appointments take 15 minutes or less.

  4. 4

    Shop with Your Certification

    Take your written certification and your government-issued ID to your chosen dispensary to shop.

    Applying to the state for a digital card is now optional (effective July 1st, 2022).

Benefits of Getting a Virginia Medical Card

  • Recreational users will not be able to legally purchase cannabis until 2024.
  • There will be a 21% excise tax on recreational cannabis and no excise tax on medical cannabis products. Both adult and medical users pay a 5.3% sales tax.
  • Governor Northam recently signed a bill that makes it illegal for most Virginia businesses (with some exceptions) to take adverse actions against employees who test positive for THC during a routine drug screening if they have a Virginia medical marijuana card.
  • Higher-quality cannabis.
  • Higher possession limits.
  • Minimum age of 18 rather than 21.

About Medical Marijuana in Virginia

Virginia has a Medical Cannabis Program that finally has some semblance of functionality. Moreover, there has been a movement toward liberalizing the medical cannabis qualification process since the Coronavirus outbreak, with verbal recommendations via telehealth being proposed to maintain social distancing measures and to retain access to medical cannabis for those who require it.

Many doctors in Virginia are reluctant to recommend cannabis due to legal issues. We here at Leafwell can make finding a Virginia medical marijuana doctor much easier.

Possessing a half-ounce or less of cannabis will be decriminalized and regarded as a possession for personal use as of July 1, 2020. Recreational, adult-use cannabis has been legalized but cannot be purchased until 2024.

However, Virginia does not actually have a specific program that legalizes medical marijuana. Rather, they offer Affirmative Defense that potentially allows select individuals to possess certain cannabis oils under the permission of a licensed physician in Virginia. A physician’s medical cannabis certificate alone is not enough to claim Affirmative Defense – you must also register with the Virginia Board of Pharmacy. There is a call to legalize all cannabis in Virginia, but this may take some time to implement. Shortly, Virginia may develop a fully-fledged medical marijuana program.

Note that recreational cannabis is not legal and possession of marijuana without enrollment in the medical cannabis program and registration with the Virginia Board of Pharmacy carries federal charges.

The affirmative defense should act as a reason to dismiss or at least diminish any charges levied against individuals who are stopped possessing small quantities of cannabis products. Therefore, we strongly recommend everyone suffering from any of the conditions listed by the Virginia legislation apply for their MMJ certification.

diamond icon

How to Qualify

You must be aged 18 years-old or over in order to get a Virginia medical marijuana recommendation for yourself. No specified guidelines have been given for caregivers and minors but we have put together some information further down this page.

  1. Information for Caregivers
    hands-icon

    No specified guidelines have been given for caregivers but caregivers must also be 18 years of age.

diamond icon

Medical Conditions

There are no specific medical conditions that “qualify” for Affirmative Defense in Virginia. It is completely up to the doctor whether or not they want to grant medical cannabis patients permission to use cannabis. However, very few doctors in Virginia are willing to participate in the Affirmative Defense program, likely given the lack of incentive on their behalf.

  1. It's Up to the Doctor
    hands-icon

    This means that a physician may recommend medical cannabis for any condition they deem suitable.

woman-leafs
Possession and Growing

Even if you do obtain a doctor’s written permission to use cannabis oil in the state of Virginia, this does not mean you are legally allowed to possess cannabis. It simply means that if arrested on charges of marijuana, you may be offered protection or given exemption from criminal prosecution.

Codified as "CBD or THC-A oil," each dispensed dose (single unit) must contain a minimum of 5 milligrams of cannabidiol or THC-A and may contain up to 10 milligrams of THC. There is no limit on the number of doses comprising a patient’s dosage.

The allowed products may be in any formulation typically dispensed by pharmacies, i.e. oils, tinctures, creams, gels, capsules, tablets, sprays, lozenges, troches, patches, suppositories, lozenges, and lollipops. Patients may receive up to a 90-day supply per visit. Patients must have valid doctor’s certification.

Note that the affirmative defense does not apply to flower, food products, or preparations outside the allowed cannabinoid amounts.

Virginia has now approved the sale of flower for medical marijuana patients starting from July 1st, 2021. Recreational cannabis is legalized in Virginia but cannot be purchased until 2024.

diamond icon

Caregivers

Medical Marijuana Patients in Virginia Can Have a Caregiver.

You must be at least 18 years of age in order to apply for a medical cannabis card in Virginia. Caregivers must also be 18 years of age.

It is now optional to register with the state for parents and caregivers. To apply as a caregiver, follow this process:

  1. 01

    The parent/guardian residing at the same address as the patient should first submit the patient registration application.

  2. 02

    The parent/guardian residing at the same address as the patient should submit the parent/guardian application.

  3. 03

    Any other parent/guardian who has also been issued a written certification and in need of obtaining board registration should submit the parent/guardian application to the Virginia board.

    You can register here: https://www.license.dhp.virginia.gov/apply/

card-reciprocity
Reciprocity

Virginia doesn’t recognize other states’ medical marijuana cards, certificates or recommendations.

A Virginia medical marijuana digital ID card may be of some use in some other states with medical marijuana reciprocity, meaning they recognize out-of-state cards. However, with the Virginia MMJ ID card being digital, it is not a guarantee.

The following states accept or recognize out-of-state medical marijuana cards:

However, this does not always mean you can purchase cannabis at a medical marijuana dispensary (non-medical adult use is fine) — just that you are protected by the state’s medical marijuana laws to some extent. It is wise to call the dispensary ahead if you are a medical cannabis patient from another state and intend to purchase medical marijuana.

The qualifying condition usually has to match between states, so if your qualifying condition is accepted in one state and not your visiting state, your recommendation is not necessarily valid. You are also beholden to the visiting state’s medical marijuana laws, not the state that issued your card.

The following states accept out-of-state applications, allowing a visiting patient application to use medical cannabis for the duration of their stay:

Virginia Cannabis Laws
Articles
See more posts
diamond icon

Frequently asked questions in Virginia

How much does a Virginia Medical Marijuana certificate and card cost?

Medical marijuana certificate on its own = $149 at Leafwell

Optional: State application fee = $50

Renewal fee = $149

Plus, now you can sign up with a friend and each save 10% on your consultation with Leafwell.

What medical conditions qualify for a Medical Marijuana Card in Virginia?

In Virginia, the following conditions may qualify you for a medical marijuana certificate and card:

  • AIDS/HIV
  • Cancer
  • Chronic Pain that does not respond to traditional treatments, or where opioids may be used.
  • Crohn’s Disease
  • Epilepsy
  • Glaucoma
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – moderate to severe

Technically, a physician may be able to recommend cannabis for any condition they deem suitable. They will, however, need to explain their decision.

What do I need to know about applying for my Medical Cannabis Card in Virginia online?

There are four simple steps to seeing a Leafwell provider in Virginia:

  1. Register with Leafwell and speak to a Virginia licensed physician online.
  2. Get approved and download your doctor’s certificate.
  3. Go to your nearest dispensary and shop for your medical products
  4. Optional: register with the state to receive a digital card
How old do I have to be to apply for a Medical Marijuana Card in Virginia?

You must be at least 18 years of age in order to apply for a Medical Marijuana Card in Virginia. Caregivers must also be 18 years of age.

Can I be/have a caregiver for a medical marijuana patient in Virginia?

Yes, medical marijuana patients in Virginia can have a caregiver. It is no longer a requirement for the caregiver to register but here are the instructions if you choose to do so:

  1. The parent/guardian residing at the same address as the patient should first submit the patient registration application.
  2. The parent/guardian residing at the same address as the patient should submit the parent/guardian application.

Any other parent/guardian who has also been issued a written certification and in need of obtaining board registration should submit the parent/guardian application to the board.

You can register here > https://www.license.dhp.virginia.gov/apply/

How do I apply for the state program in Virginia?

You do not need to apply to the state as of 1st July, 2022.

However, you may choose to do so to obtain a digital card. It is optional, however.

Before you start, have these supporting documents ready:

  • Your certification from the Leafwell physician in PDF form
  • Proof of residency (and proof of residency for a parent or legal guardian if applicable)
  • ID (and ID for the parent or legal guardian if applicable)
  • Must be a government-issued ID Card
  • Proof of age
  • Birth certificate or government-issued ID
  • Note: A valid Virginia Driver’s License can act as proof of residency and ID combined.

Getting Your Virginia Medical Marijuana Card

  1. Go to the Virginia State website – https://www.license.dhp.virginia.gov/apply/ – and either log into an existing account or create a new one by clicking “Register a Person”
    1. To create a new account, you’ll need your social security number
  2. Select Initial Application from the left menu then on the Application for Licensure screen:
    1. From the Profession dropdown, select Pharmaceutical Processing
    2. If you are the patient (individual) applying for registration, select Medical Cannabis Patient from the License Type dropdown
      1. .If you are the parent or legal guardian of the patient who is a minor, select Medical Cannabis – Parent Guardian from the License Type dropdown. Once you have completed this application you must also complete the Medical Cannabis Patient application for the patient. The primary parent/guardian of the minor must complete this.
      2. If you are the caregiver of an incapacitated adult, select Registered Agent for Medical Cannabis. Once you have completed this application you must also complete the Medical Cannabis Patient application for the patient. The primary caregiver for an incapacitated adult who resides with the patient must complete this.
    3. Select Initial Application from the Obtained By dropdown 
    4. Click the Start Application button.
    5. Select Initial Application from the Obtained By dropdown. Click the Start Application button.
  3. Complete the registration process and pay the fee: $50 for patients; $25 for parent/legal guardian. 
  4. Scan and email, fax, or mail the following documentation to the board at the address below for the application to be considered complete:
    1. A copy of Leafwell Doctor’s certification;
    2. Proof of your residency and proof of residency of a parent or legal guardian, if applicable, such as a government-issued identification card or tax receipt;
    3. Proof of identity, and if the patient is a minor, proof of identity of the parent or legal guardian in the form of a government-issued identification card;
    4. Proof of your age in the form of a birth certification or other government-issued identification.
    5. NOTE: A valid Virginia Driver’s License will fulfill the requirements for proof of age, identity, and residency.
      1. Virginia Board of Pharmacy Perimeter Center, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300 Henrico, VA 23233 
      2. Fax: (804) 527-4472
      3. Email: cbd@dhp.virginia.gov
  5. Should the Board of Pharmacy require any additional information to process the application, you will be notified by email. Please ensure that you enter your email address accurately into the application. 
  6. Please allow 60 business days for the Board of Pharmacy to process the registration application. Once issued, you will receive an official email from the state that contains your digital card.
  7. Legally purchase medical marijuana productsOnce you have received your digital state-issued card you are ready to purchase products from a licensed medical cannabis pharmacy.
  8. To purchase medical cannabis, you must bring your digital state-issued medical cannabis card and a valid form of photo identification, such as a driver’s license and a copy of your Leafwell doctor’s recommendation with you to the pharmacy.