How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card in Virginia [2024 Guide]
Virginia has legalized medical and adult use (recreational) cannabis. The state became the first in the South to legalize adult use, passing bills HB 2312 and SB 1406 in April 2021.
Recreational cannabis is legal in Virginia, but sales aren't expected to begin until 2024. Until then, getting a VA medical marijuana card – or cultivating your own plants at home – is the only way citizens can legally get their cannabis unless they're part of the medical program.
NuggMD offers online telemedicine appointments to streamline and simplify the process of getting your Virginia medical marijuana card. You can begin your evaluation with a licensed Virginia medical marijuana doctor in minutes for only $149.
How to Become a Patient: VA Medical Marijuana Card Requirements
The process for getting a medical marijuana card in VA changed this summer. Read on to catch up on how to get a medical marijuana card in Virginia with this updated step-by-step walkthrough.
- Find Out If You Qualify
Unlike other states, Virginia does not require medical cannabis patients to have a specific condition to qualify for the program. Instead, a certified medical practitioner in the state must determine that using medical cannabis will help "alleviate the symptoms of any diagnosed condition or disease." However, you DO need to be a state resident with proof of residency to obtain your VA med card. - Speak To A Doctor
Virginia requires that medical practitioners register with the state’s program to recommend cannabis. As such, your primary care physician may not necessarily qualify to recommend you medical cannabis – be sure to verify before booking an appointment. Or, cut down on the work and allow NuggMD to connect you with a VA state-approved practitioner. - Get Your Certification
If you qualify, you'll receive a written certification from your doctor, and you can immediately visit a dispensary to purchase your medication. As of July 1, 2022, Virginia no longer requires medical cannabis patients to register with the state. If you want a physical ID card (this is optional), you can register with the state for an additional $50 fee and receive your card by mail in 10 business days or less.
How Do I Renew a Virginia Medical Marijuana Card?
Patients must update their written recommendations annually. Visit your initial recommending physician or another state-registered doctor, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner for a new evaluation. If you visit a new doctor – or if you choose to renew with NuggMD after seeing a different doctor for your initial evaluation – be sure to bring your medical records for a more thorough and complete evaluation.
Who Qualifies for Medical Marijuana Card in VA?
Rather than provide a list of qualifying conditions like most states, Virginia leaves the medical marijuana card determinations up to its registered practitioners. In short, patients qualify if the practitioner determines that cannabis could help alleviate symptoms brought on by any medical condition or disease. The only other requirement is a valid government-issued ID with proof of residence.
Minors are permitted to participate with a parent or guardian acting as a registered caretaker.
How to Find a Medical Marijuana Doctor in VA for an MMJ Evaluation
The Virginia Cannabis Control Authority provides a list of registered state practitioners participating in the program to help patients find a doctor faster. That said, finding a nearby practitioner, reading patient reviews, and booking a session (often with days or weeks of wait time) can quickly add up.
Rather than spending your time and effort finding a qualified medical practitioner and traveling to their office, allow NuggMD to do the work for you.
NuggMD connects patients directly with state-licensed medical marijuana doctors in Virginia to evaluate their condition honestly, helping determine if cannabis may help.
Having your medical files on hand for your evaluation should speed up the process and allow the doctor to ensure that you receive an adequate and thorough assessment. It is recommended that you pre-submit or bring the following documents (when available) to your evaluation:
- Patient charts
- Current prescriptions
- Physical therapy records
- Medical test results
- Hospital records
If you’re tired of waiting for your doctor – or if you just don’t have the time or ability to get to their office – Virginia allows patients to complete their medical cannabis evaluation entirely online.
Visit NuggMD Virginia to learn more and get started.
Get Your Medical Cannabis Recommendation Online: The NuggMD Process
Becoming an MMJ patient in Virginia is straightforward when using NuggMD's platform. All you need to do is:
- Sign-up on with NuggMD Virginia. Complete your pre-evaluation form in about 30 seconds. Then, relax in our virtual waiting room until the doctor is ready to see you (typically in 15 minutes or less).
- Get your written doctor’s recommendation. If approved, you’ll receive your recommendation in 48 hours or less. If you aren’t approved for medical cannabis, you won’t be charged for your evaluation.
- Enjoy. Once you receive your written recommendation, you can go directly to the dispensary (remember to bring your recommendation and a government-issued ID) to purchase your medical cannabis products.
Patients can choose to register with the state Cannabis Control Authority to receive a physical copy of their medical cannabis card in 10 business days or less for an extra $50. As of July 1, 2022, this step is voluntary in Virginia, and it isn’t necessary to purchase medical cannabis products in the state. But registering with the Cannabis Control Authority does make it easier to purchase medical cannabis while traveling, as some states won’t accept written certifications and require a state-issued card.
What to Expect When Talking to a Medical Marijuana Doctor in VA
Be prepared to discuss your medical history, including symptoms and treatments attempted. Your NuggMD doctor will want to know about all of the current medications and other wellness regimens you are on. Uploading your medical records to the portal before your session provides the doctor with the most information regarding your medical history and how cannabis may help.
If you don't have the records, your doctor may ask for additional information before granting a recommendation.
Feel free to ask any and all questions you have about medical cannabis during your evaluation. Some common questions include:
- How might cannabis interact with other drugs I'm taking (like SSRIs or antibiotics)?
- What health risks should I be concerned about?
- What consumption methods should I use?
- Should I consume every day?
- What is my recommended dosage?
You may want to write down your questions while waiting in the virtual waiting room to avoid forgetting anything.
Frequently Asked Questions About Medical Cannabis in Virginia
New to medical cannabis? Keep scrolling for some of the most common cannabis questions our medical practitioners receive.
What Cannabis Consumption Methods Are Available in Virginia?
SB1557 states that "any formulation" of extracted medical cannabis may be available to patients. This means that things like creams, gels, lozenges, capsules, sprays, tinctures, oils, patches, troches, suppositories, lollipops, and inhalation products (including flower) will be available.
Edible products and cannabis flower are both available in Virginia to medical marijuana patients. Additionally, patients and adults 21 and over can also cultivate up to 4 plants per household (not per person).
What Does Cannabis Feel Like?
Cannabis is commonly associated with feelings of relaxation, creativity, and increased appetite. However, there are many other potential effects, and different strains and doses will have different effects depending on a variety of factors.
Common subjective effects of cannabis use are:
- A distorted sense of time (maybe sped up or slowed down),
- A feeling of increased lethargy or tiredness,
- An elevated sense of humor (everything is funnier),
- Heightened feelings of happiness and satisfaction,
- Loss of concentration
- Intense relaxation or calm
- Some moderate and brief short-term lapses in memory.
It's also possible for some to feel unpleasant side effects from cannabis, especially when consumed in larger doses. Users are often advised to “start low, go slow” and only increase dosage gradually over time to reduce the possibility of undesirable effects.1
What if My Recommended Dose Is Too Strong?
Medical cannabis products can contain up to 10 mg of THC per dose. This is the average dose-per-serving that most states allow. However, 10mg of THC may be too much for some consumers. If you feel your dose is too strong, consider the following steps.
- First, always contact your doctor immediately if you feel that something isn't right. The proper dosage differs dramatically among people based on their bodies and tolerances. People are also capable of processing THC differently. Your doctor can help you find the right size dose for your goals and needs.
- Second, don't panic. Any unpleasant feelings shouldn’t last long. Generally speaking, the effects of cannabis will start to dissipate completely after 90 to 180 minutes of smoking. Be aware that edibles, however, can take much longer to wear off. As such, if you're relatively new to cannabis use, experiment with lower dosages and work your way up as you get a better sense of your personal tolerance.
- Remember that you aren’t alone. Most people who consume cannabis feel anxious or overwhelmed at one time or another. If you feel you need some company, call a friend to come to visit. In fact, it's a good idea to have a sympathetic friend who understands cannabis on standby the first time you try cannabis.
- Finally, it's a good idea to discuss specific dosages and tolerance in detail with your doctor during your evaluation (or any time you feel your dose may be too high or too low). The right dosage is very important to get the most benefit from medical cannabis, so don’t hesitate to ask any questions you may have.
Have More Questions About How to Apply for a Medical Card in Virginia?
Learn more about Virginia's medical cannabis rules and regulations and state-provided MMJ patient information, or browse our extensive set of patient resources:
- Virginia Patient FAQs
- Qualifying Conditions in Virginia
- Benefits of Getting a Med Card in Virginia
- How to Become a Caregiver in Virginia
Or contact NuggMD. Our customer support team is eager to demystify the process and rules for you, just like they have for over 1,300,000 patients. Our team of friendly, informed experts will answer your questions and help you understand the Virginia medical cannabis program in no time.
Virginia State Resources:
Virginia Cannabis Advocacy Groups
- MacCallum CA, Russo EB. Practical considerations in medical cannabis administration and dosing. European Journal of Internal Medicine. 2018;49(49):12-19. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejim.2018.01.004 ↩︎
