How To Get Your Medical Marijuana Card In Virginia

Do you want to know how to get a medical marijuana card in Virginia? 

If you suffer from chronic pain, anxiety, depression, PTSD and other qualifying medical conditions, you could qualify for a medical cannabis card in Virginia. 

But what is the process for certification? 

Is it easy to do? 

Where should you go to get it done?

 Can you get a cannabis card for a minor or someone you’re a legal guardian of? 

What are the laws surrounding cannabis use once you do have a medical card?

Luckily, we’ve rounded up the answers to these and all your medical card questions in the blog post below. 

Don’t see your question answered? Reach out to us, and we’ll happily answer any other questions you may have. 

What Is a Medical Marijuana Card in Virginia?

A medical marijuana card in Virginia is a state-issued ID that lets patients legally purchase and use medical cannabis. Qualifying conditions must be present to receive a medical card. 

Once you’re approved for a medical marijuana card in Virginia, you can legally access regulated dispensaries with oils, tinctures, and flower, all for medical use. 

To obtain a medical marijuana card in Virginia, you must first see a licensed physician legally allowed to certify you for qualifying medical conditions. Once you have your card, you can legally obtain cannabis products. 

How to Get Your Medical Marijuana Card in Virginia—A Step-by-Step Guide

The medical cannabis community is continuing to grow in the US, and Virginia is one of the leading states providing access to medical cannabis. 

From chronic pain to anxiety, PTSD, and more, Virginia is offering patients easy and safe access to medical marijuana. 

Getting your medical cannabis card in Virginia is pretty straightforward, even if you aren’t familiar with the state’s legal requirements. To help you understand what it takes to access your medical marijuana card, we’re walking you through the process step-by-step below. 

Understanding the Basics of Getting A Medical Cannabis Card in Virginia

A medical cannabis card allows you to legally purchase, possess, and use medical cannabis in Virginia. Medical marijuana is used to treat symptoms that are often unmanageable with traditional pharmaceutical treatments. 

To qualify for your card, you must be diagnosed with a medical condition that meets the state’s eligibility requirements. Once a licensed physician has evaluated you, they can recommend medical cannabis as a treatment option. 

Let’s find out how you can qualify and where to go to get your card. 

Who Can Certify Your Medical Marijuana Card

 According to the Virginia government, the following individuals are legally allowed to certify their medical marijuana card. 

• Physician Assistants licensed by the Board of Medicine 
• Advanced Practice Registered Nurses jointly Licensed by the Board of Medicine and the Board of Nursing
• Practitioners of Medicine or Osteopathy 

What’s Legal and What Isn’t

While medical cannabis use is legal, there are a few caveats to its use. Here’s what you can and can’t do legally with cannabis. 

Legal 

• Certification from a qualified practitioner

You can legally use cannabis for medical purposes if you obtain a written certification from a practitioner legally allowed to certify you. You need to be certified before you go to a dispensary. 

• Bringing a valid government-issued ID to purchase medical cannabis. 

A passport or government-issued driver’s license is the only legal ID for purchasing cannabis.

• Registered agents can be added to your certification.

If you believe you’ll need someone to pick up your medicine on your behalf, you must have your practitioner add them to your certification. 

• Make sure to renew your certification every year. 

Written certifications must be renewed every single year to remain legal. 

Illegal 

• Cannabis use in public.

Do not use cannabis in public in Virginia. It is illegal. 

• Use more cannabis than your practitioner recommends.

Follow your pharmacist, practitioner, or other provider’s recommendations for how much cannabis to use. 

• Selling your cannabis supply.

It is illegal to sell any of your legally obtained cannabis to anyone around you. 

• Consuming cannabis and driving. 

Driving under the influence of cannabis in Virginia is illegal.

What Basic Qualifications Are Required?

If you want to participate in Virginia’s medical cannabis program, you have to be a permanent resident of Virginia, be at least 18 years old, and have a condition that qualifies for medical cannabis use. You’ll also need a valid government-issued ID.

How to Obtain Medical Cannabis Certification

Schedule an appointment with an eligible medical practitioner to learn how medical cannabis could be a good fit for you. You’ll need a written certification if so. 

To qualify, medical practitioners must be licensed by the Board of Medicine or be an advanced practice registered nurse jointly licensed by the Boards of Nursing and Medicine. 

Once a qualified medical practitioner determines that you legally qualify for a medical card, you will be given a written certification, valid up to one year from the date. Parents and legal guardians can also get written certification on behalf of minors if needed. 

Dispensaries typically accept handwritten or electronic certifications as needed. 

Frequently Asked Questions About How to Get Your Medical Marijuana Card in Virginia

1. What is Green Leaf Medical Center in Virginia?

Green Leaf Medical Center in Richmond, VA is a medical marijuana doctor’s office that helps clients get their medical marijuana cards. Green Leaf Medical Center helps patients understand and learn about the rules and regulations, which must be met to qualify for Virginia’s Medical Marijuana program. You can sign up online and they will get you an appointment with a registered state physician.

2. How do they help clients get their medical marijuana cards?

They help by breaking down the process into easy-to-follow steps. Green Leaf Medical Center will take care of finding you the necessary physician’s examination, which is usually required in most states that have legalized marijuana use for medical purposes. They also explain what they need to do to their patients, depending on their qualifying condition. Lastly, they will provide information about the dispensaries and how the program works with them.

3. What are the benefits of having a medical marijuana card?

The benefits of having a medical marijuana card allow you to legally purchase or grow medical marijuana for the treatment of medical conditions. You can grow at home or purchase from regulated dispensaries.

4. Why should you go to Green Leaf Medical Center in Virginia instead of trying to get your own card?

By going through Green Leaf Medical Center in the state of Virginia, you’ll have an easier time qualifying for Virginia’s Medical Marijuana program as you will be guided through the process and introduced to their selected physicians.

4. How to get a medical marijuana card?

If you are interested in getting a medical marijuana card, go to their website and find what steps need to be taken. The process will vary depending on your condition/qualify conditions. After the initial consultation, they will start guiding you through each step of the process.

Qualifying Conditions for a Medical Card

Qualifying medical conditions under Virginia state law that are eligible for a medical recommendation are:

– Cancer
– HIV/AIDS
– Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
– Parkinson’s disease
– Multiple Sclerosis
– Damage to the nervous tissue of the spinal cord with objective neurological indication of intractable spasticity
– Epilepsy
– Neuropathies (weakness, numbness, pain from nerve damage)
– Huntington’s disease
– Intractable seizures
– Sickle cell anemia
– Severe, chronic, or intractable pain of neuropathic origin or severe, chronic, or intractable pain in which conventional therapeutic intervention and opiate therapy has proved ineffective
– Crohn’s disease
– PTSD. Can be diagnosed by a medical doctor, licensed counselor, or psychologist
– Terminally Ill. ​Medical prognosis of life expectancy of approximately one year or less if the illness runs its normal course

Virginia residents are now able to receive medicinal cannabis thanks to a series of legislative actions including HB 1251 and more recently SB 1557. Board of Pharmacy; cannabidiol oil and tetrahydrocannabinol oil; regulation of pharmaceutical processors. Authorizes licensed physician assistants and licensed nurse practitioners to issue a written certification for use of cannabidiol oil and THC-A oil. The bill requires the Board to promulgate regulations establishing dosage limitations, which shall require that each dispensed dose of cannabidiol oil or THC-A oil not exceed 10 milligrams of tetrahydrocannabinol.

If you’re interested in getting your medical cannabis card in Virginia, we can help. You can get your cannabis card with us quickly and easily.

Schedule a telehealth appointment to get a certified doctor to approve you for medical marijuana card in the state of Virginia.

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