Virginia Patient FAQs

NuggMD Virginia connects prospective patients with state-licensed medical cannabis doctors so you can get your required medical evaluation fast, easy, and online from the comfort and privacy of your own home.

Browse our full list of patient FAQs, or contact our customer service team for one-on-one support.

To get a medical card in Virginia, individuals must first obtain a written certification from a registered practitioner, like those at NuggMD Virginia. Patients can then choose to submit documentation to the VA Cannabis Control Authority if they wish to receive a physical medical marijuana card. Registration with the state Cannabis Control Authority is optional, and patients only need their written certification from a registered practitioner to purchase cannabis.

Patients who choose to register with the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority need the following documents to apply:

• Proof of Patient's Residency, Identity, and Age
• (if applicable) Proof of Parent/Guardian Residency, Identity, and Age
• Written medical marijuana recommendation issued by a registered Virginia medical marijuana doctor.

Unfortunately, out-of-state medical cannabis patients do not have the ability to access medical cannabis products in Virginia, nor do their patient protections extend to out-of-state cardholders.

While the possession of cannabis is legal for adults 21 and over, Virginia is still working to establish a framework for the sale of adult-use cannabis products.

No, only MDs, DOs, physician assistants, or nurse practitioners who are registered with the state MMJ program can issue medicinal cannabis recommendations.

Possibly, if your primary care doctor is registered to do so with the state program, ask your doctor if they're familiar with medical marijuana and the Virginia cannabis program. If they're licensed by the Virginia Board of Medicine or jointly by the Board of Medicine and Board of Nursing, they can issue MMJ recommendations. If your doctor isn't able to provide a recommendation, NuggMD is happy to help! All NuggMD doctors are licensed in the state for which they provide evaluations and have acquired all necessary certifications.

To make it easy, you can take the research out of the equation and see a state-licensed medical marijuana doctor with NuggMD for just $149.

A Virginia medical marijuana evaluation with a state-licensed doctor costs only $149 with NuggMD! Even better, your evaluation will be free if you don't qualify, so there's not risk!

The fee for a Virginia medical marijuana card is $50, though registering with the state and obtaining a physical med card are optional as of July 1, 2022. Patients who wish not to register can purchase cannabis by bringing their government-issued ID and their written certification from a registered practitioner.

Registered agents or parent/legal guardians must pay a fee of $25. This is in addition to the fee for the required medical evaluation.

To qualify for a VA medical marijuana card, you must have a valid government-issued ID proving you are a Virginia resident. Minors are permitted to participate in the program with a registered caregiver who is either a parent, legal guardian, or registered agent assigned by the parent or legal guardian. Rather than provide a list of qualifying conditions like most states, Virginia leaves the medical marijuana card determinations up to its registered physicians.

Virginia doesn’t have a set list of qualifying conditions. Instead, the decision is up to the doctor. Currently, the law allows practitioners to issue written certifications for cannabis to “alleviate the symptoms of any diagnosed condition or disease determined by the practitioner to benefit from such use.”

You might be! Unlike many other states, Virginia doesn’t have a set list of qualifying medical conditions. Rather, VA state law allows medical practitioners to issue MMJ certifications if they believe the use of cannabis may “alleviate the symptoms of any diagnosed condition or disease.”

At this time, cannabis is still a scheduled substance on the federal level. This means no insurance company will cover the costs associated with MMJ registration.

No, all patient information is confidential and secure thanks to HIPAA Laws.

Until adult-use sales begin in Virginia, which isn’t expected until 2025, a medical cannabis card is the only way to purchase cannabis in Virginia legally. Even after recreational cannabis is available, med card holders can expect a range of benefits, including exemption from the 21% recreational cannabis tax, higher purchase limits, increased legal protections, and access to a greater number of dispensaries and products.

You can complete your VA medical cannabis evaluation with NuggMD in minutes, and you can begin purchasing cannabis products as soon as you receive your written certification. If you want an optional physical medical cannabis card, you must apply with the Cannabis Control Authority, where it can take approximately 60 business days to process your application. You don’t need a physical med card to purchase cannabis in Virginia.

You can use other valid government-issued IDs, but the department prefers a Virginia driver's license or identification card. For a complete list of documents needed for a Virginia medical marijuana card, see the Cannabis Control Authority's patient registration instructions.

Learn more about Virginia's cannabis laws and regulations.

The Virginia Cannabis Control Authority (VCCA) can generally process MMJ applications within 7-10 days. Following your approval, the BOP will mail your ID to the address provided.

Absolutely! You can see any doctor you choose for your renewal evaluation. When you transfer to NuggMD, be sure to bring your medical records to help your friendly NuggMD practitioner provide a thorough and complete evaluation.

It only costs $149 to get a Virginia MMJ renewal evaluation with NuggMD, and there’s no risk because you’re only billed if you’re approved for medical cannabis.

You must renew your written medical cannabis certification ever year in Virginia. State registration is optional.

When you get your evaluation with NuggMD, there’s no risk to you. You are ONLY charged if you are approved.

You'll receive a full refund within 30 days if you haven't received the Certification for the use of Cannabis Oil form. Simply send an email to support@nuggmd.com with the subject line “refund request.” Please include a brief description of your issue in the body of the email. NuggMD wants to be sure that you're 100% satisfied with your service, since you, the customer, are the most important part of our business. Once you're refunded, we are legally required to deactivate your medical certificate with the state. Once the refund has been initiated, please allow 3-5 business days for the funds to transfer back to the card you used for the transaction. If any issues arise, please feel free to reach out to customer support for further assistance.

Virginia medical marijuana patients are allowed to purchase cannabis products such as dried flower, cannabis oils, edible products (lozenges, baked goods, lollipops), vape cartridges, and extracts.

Learn more about Virginia's cannabis laws and regulations.

No, medical cannabis products can contain up to 10 mg of THC per dose. This is the average dose-per-serving that most states allow.

Yes, medical cannabis flower is now available in Virginia. Patients and adults 21 and over can also cultivate up to 4 plants per household (not per person). Patients can purchase up to four ounces of cannabis flower per 30 days at any medical cannabis dispensary in Virginia.

Yes, edible products are available to Virginia medical marijuana patients in the form of lozenges, gelatin cubes, baked goods, lollipops, and more.

No, SB1557 states that "any formulation" of extracted 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.

No, but the extracts cannot contain more than 10 mg of THC per individual dose. In the context of Virginia's law, one "dose" is considered a single unit of a cannabis product, a single capsule, for example. One "dosage" is the number of doses that are to be taken at one time. 10mg is the standard single dose in most states and is intoxicating.

Yes. This doesn't mean that psychoactive substances are inherently intoxicating, psychotropic, or hallucinogenic, but they do affect the brain. Both THC and Cannabidiol (CBD) are psychoactive substances, and while CBD doesn't cause a powerful "high," THC can and usually does. Medical cannabis products can contain up to 10mg of THC per dose. Most users, especially novice users, find 10mg to be a potent enough dose of THC to cause a very powerful high. Don't attempt to drive, operate any heavy machinery, or do anything that could pose safety issues while using marijuana. Consider taking smaller doses than 10mg if you're a first-time user. Many first-time cannabis patients find that 5mg or even 2.5mg is more than enough THC to provide relief, while 10mg can induce paranoia or panic attacks. Therefore, it's always best to start low and go slow, and when taking cannabis orally, wait several hours before trying another dose. Some patients take as long as 6 hours to feel the effects of an oral dose of cannabis, although effects are usually felt within 45 to 90 minutes.

Yes, a growing number of dispensaries are either open or opening soon in Virginia. You can find 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 cannabis card OR a copy of their written MMJ recommendation from a state-certified practitioner. Only those who are medical patients or designated caregivers are allowed to enter dispensaries.

Yes, with a valid Virginia medical card, MMJ patients can have a "90-day supply" of medical marijuana. What constitutes a 90-day supply ultimately depends on the amount stipulated by your evaluating physician.

Until adult-use sales begin in Virginia, you must be 18 or older and a medical patient to purchase cannabis.

Virginia medical cannabis patients are allowed to purchase up to four ounces of cannabis flower every 30 days, other purchase limits are set by your recommending physician for a 90-day period.

Virginia law stipulates that patients only possess a "90-day supply" of cannabis products and up to 4 ounces of smokable cannabis flower. What constitutes a 90-day supply is determined by your evaluating physician.

It is not legal for medical cannabis flower or products to be given as a gift to any individual, regardless of age or medical patient status.

No, it is illegal to consume cannabis in any public space, including but not limited to restaurants, parks, and streets.

Yes, but medical cannabis delivery is only available to medical patients in the state of Virginia.

Possibly. Some states allow medical patients with out-of-state MMJ IDs to buy medical marijuana while visiting. The best way to determine if a specific state allows the use of an out-of-state ID is to call the dispensary you plan to visit before you travel.

Individuals over 21 may grow up to four plants per household. The plants must be out of public view and inaccessible to individuals under age 21. The plants must also include a label stating they are being grown for personal use under the law and list the person's name and driver’s license or ID number.

Medical cannabis cards in Virginia are good for one year. At that time, patients must complete a re-evaluation and renew their MMJ card to maintain their patient status and access to benefits available in the state.

Currently, there is a precedent for prohibiting the sale of firearms to unlawful users or those addicted to a federally controlled substance. This is the same precedent established by the ATF and the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. However, the issue hasn’t been resolved in Virginia, and you may wish to consult with an attorney if you have concerns about firearms ownership and medical marijuana use.

Here is the contact information for the Board of Pharmacy:

Email: info@cca.virginia.gov

Mailing Address:
Virginia Board of Pharmacy
333 E. Franklin Street - Ste. 200
Richmond, VA 23219

Yes, the Virginia MMJ program allows caregivers to register. Those patients who are minors or incapacitated/disabled adults must register designated caregivers.

To register as a caregiver in Virginia, you must be designated on the patient's application by the qualifying provider or apply through the Virginia CCA to be a Registered Agent.

A minor who has a qualifying medical condition diagnosed by a healthcare provider is eligible to receive a written medical cannabis certification. Minor patients must be designated at least one caregiver by the parent or legal guardian and are not permitted to use smokable flowers unless the qualifying physician recommends it.