Virginia Law Eases Approval Process For Medical Cannabis

Thanks to a new Virginia law that went into effect on July 1, the registration process for medical cannabis patients is now quicker and less of a burden.

Previously, if you were seeking approval, you had to get a written certification from a registered practitioner. And then register with the Virginia Board of Pharmacy to get a medical cannabis card.

The new legislation signed this year, House Bill 933, eliminates the need for the latter. You no longer have to receive approval from the Board of Pharmacy to buy medical cannabis. This also means you don’t need to pay the Board’s $50 registration fee.

This new change provides much needed relief for Virginia medical cannabis patients. They typically had to wait 60 days to receive approval!

The legislation also did the following:

Removed active ingredient ratio mandates for product formulations

Clarified the scope of medical cannabis production and dispensing

Eased restrictions on technology permitted in cannabis processing

How to become a medical cannabis patient in Virginia

With the new legislation in effect, this is what the process looks like to become a medical cannabis patient in Virginia:

First, schedule your appointment with a cannabis clinic like Canna Care Docs. Visit our Virginia clinic page for details and contact us at (866) 846-2420 to book your medical cannabis evaluation.

Then, meet with one of our practitioners to discuss your symptoms and determine if medical cannabis is right for you.

Obtain your written certification for medical cannabis.

Bring your written certification to a medical dispensary to shop for products.

Who qualifies for medical cannabis in Virginia?

To be approved for medical cannabis in Virginia, you must be a legal resident. Patients who are under 18 will also need a parent or guardian who is a registered caregiver.

Most states require patients to have specific qualifying conditions. Virginia is different, however. Medical providers may recommend medical cannabis or cannabinoid-based therapies for any condition they feel will benefit from these treatments.