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Apply for Your Virginia Medical Marijuana Card Online

  • A Virginia medical card can save you more than 20% on every marijuana purchase.
  • See a healthcare provider on your schedule.
  • Pay only $149 for your appointment — and get your money back if not approved!
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How to Get a Virginia Medical Marijuana Card Online

  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 Having a Medical Card in Virginia

As of 2021, adult-use marijuana is legal in Virginia. However, since recreational cannabis sales in dispensaries won’t begin in Virginia until 2024, medical marijuana certification offers patients distinct benefits today.

Greater possession limits:

  • Virginia medical marijuana card certifications or written referrals allow patients a 90-day supply of medical cannabis.
  • The specified possession limit for whole-plant cannabis or flower (botanical cannabis) is up to four ounces per 30 days.
  • Recreational users may only possess up to one ounce of marijuana and grow up to four plants per household.

Lower taxes:

  • Virginia medical patients pay a 5.30% sales tax on every marijuana purchase.
  • On the other hand, the state levies a 21% excise tax on retail cannabis sales. Local governments can add 3% more for 26% to 29% tax on retail sales.

Eligibility Requirements

Any Virginia resident at least 18 can apply for an optional Virginia medical marijuana card. They must be a medical patient with a qualifying health condition diagnosed by a doctor. Alternatively, patients can utilize a written certification from a licensed Virginia physician and government ID to purchase medical cannabis in the state.

Can Minors Get a Medical Card in Virginia?

Minors can get medical marijuana in Virginia. Patients under 18 need a parent or guardian to apply as their caregiver. The registered practitioner’s written certification for the patient must list the parent or legal guardian.


Caregivers

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 with obtaining and using medical marijuana. Agents can:

  • Only care for medical cannabis patients who have received a written physician recommendation in the past 12 months.
  • Serve a maximum of two patients.
  • Optional: Register with the Virginia Board even after July 1, 2022. The initial registration fee is $25, and the annual renewal fee is $25.

What You’ll Need to Apply

Patients must be Virginia residents to request a recommendation for a Virginia medical marijuana card. They must show ID proof and a written referral from a state-sanctioned physician.

Having medical files on hand for the physician evaluation often speeds up the process and ensures the doctor can provide an adequate and thorough assessment. Recommended documents to either pre-submit or bring to the physician evaluation include:

  • Patient charts
  • Current prescriptions
  • Physical therapy records
  • Medical test results
  • Hospital records

Patients who choose to register with the Virginia Board of Pharmacy as a caregiver or for an optional Virginia medical marijuana card need the following documents to apply:

  • Proof of patient’s residency, identity, and age.
  • Proof of parent/guardian’s residency, identity, and age (if applying as a Parent/Guardian)
  • Proof of caregiver’s residency, identity, and age (if applying as a Registered Agent)
  • Written medical marijuana recommendation issued by a registered Virginia medical marijuana doctor.

Costs

Leafwell’s Virginia consultation and written referral fee cost $149 for new patients and renewals.

Patients who choose to apply for an optional Virginia medical marijuana call must pay $50 to the state. Legal guardians, parents, and registered caregivers must pay an additional $25.


Medical Marijuana Reciprocity

Virginia does not yet offer medical marijuana reciprocity. However, as of July 2021, adults in Virginia 21 and older can possess up to one ounce of recreational marijuana and grow up to four marijuana plants per household. The state plans to open retail dispensaries in 2024.

While Virginia does not offer reciprocity, many other states have either legalized the recreational use of marijuana or recognize out-of-state medical marijuana cards. These states include:

States marked with * require visitors to complete a visiting patient application for their stay.

States marked with ^ have adult use programs but do not accept out-of-state cards.


Where to Buy Medical Marijuana in VA

A growing number of medical marijuana dispensaries are either open or opening soon in Virginia. Here is a list of Virginia medical cannabis dispensaries.

To purchase MMJ at a Virginia dispensary, a medical patient must bring their driver’s license or state ID and either their Virginia medical marijuana card or a copy of their written MMJ recommendation from a state-certified practitioner. Only medical patients or designated caregivers are allowed to enter dispensaries.


Cultivation

Virginia residents 21 or older may grow up to four marijuana plants per household, only at primary places of residence. Individuals growing marijuana must ensure that plants are not visible from public areas, take adequate precautions to prevent unauthorized access to persons under 21, and mitigate the odor from the cultivation area.

Virginia marijuana growing regulations also require cultivators to tag each marijuana plant with the cultivator’s name, driver’s license, or identification number and note that the cultivated plant is being grown for personal use.

Home-grown marijuana may not be sold or distributed. Virginia marijuana growers may also not manufacture marijuana concentrate from home-cultivated marijuana.


Virginia Medical Marijuana Laws to Know

  • As of July 1, 2022, medical cannabis patients, parents, or legal guardians are no longer required to register with the Virginia Board of Pharmacy to obtain a physical Virginia medical marijuana card to purchase cannabis at licensed dispensaries.
  • Medical cannabis patients, parents, or legal guardians must still have a written medical marijuana certification from a state-licensed doctor, physician, or nurse practitioner to purchase medical marijuana.
  • 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.
  • Adult-use (recreational) marijuana is legal in Virginia as of 2021, yet recreational cannabis sales in dispensaries won’t begin until 2024.

Check out our Virginia law page for more in-depth coverage of the state’s medical marijuana laws and rules. And if you’re ready to apply for your Virginia MMJ card, schedule an appointment with Leafwell today.



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Frequently Asked Questions

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

An online consultation with a Leafwell healthcare provider for a Virginia medical marijuana certificate costs $149 for new patients and renewals.

The consultation fee includes a 1-year certification, and you’ll only be charged if approved. Plus, now you can sign up with a friend and each save 10% on your consultation with Leafwell.

Registration with the Virginia Board of Pharmacy is optional. Those who would like an optional registration card must complete an online application and pay a $50 registration fee.

What medical conditions qualify for a Medical Marijuana Card in Virginia?
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, but they are called agents instead. Agents will need to present the patient’s written certification (provided by Leafwell after approval) and your government-issued ID in order to purchase.

The Virginia Board of Pharmacy no longer requires you to become a registered agent as long as your name is on the patient’s written certification.

Optional: Instructions on how to apply as a registered agent can be found here.

Caregiver (“Agent”) Requirements:

  • Minimum 18 years of age.
  • An individual may serve as an agent for no more than 2 patients. The Board does not enforce a limit on the number of agents a patient can have.
    • For patients who wish to designate more than one agent:
      • Minors – Both the parent/guardian and agent can be listed on the certification, but each person will require their own copy to shop. If two parents/guardians need to be listed, they can email cbd@dhp.virginia.gov for further instruction.
      • Adult patients – Email cbd@dhp.virginia.gov for further instruction.
  • Effective 7/1/23, if the agent’s name is on a patient’s written certification, they are no longer required to register with the Board of Pharmacy. A parent/legal guardian may choose to register with the Board if they wish to obtain an optional physical medical cannabis card.
How do I apply for the state program in Virginia?

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