The Process For Obtaining Virginia Medical Marijuana Card

How much does a Virginia medical marijuana evaluation cost with NuggMD?

A Virginia medical marijuana evaluation with a state-licensed doctor costs only ${{statesPrices.VA}} with NuggMD! Even better, your evaluation will be free if you don't qualify, so there's no risk!

Has medical marijuana been legalized in Virginia?

Yes, the Virginia legislature had legalized cannabis for medicinal use in July 2020. Those residents who are enrolled in the state MMJ program are authorized to possess medicinal marijuana products and are provided legal protections from prosecution following their use.

Are there any dispensaries that have opened in Virginia?

Dharma Pharmaceuticals in Bristol opened on October 17, 2020. gLeaf opened at the end of 2020, and Columbia Care in Portsmouth just opened recently. Beyond/Hello is coming soon.

More information can be found on the Virginia Medical Cannabis Dispensaries website.

What are the qualifying medical conditions that are eligible for cannabis treatments in Virginia?

Unlike some other states, Virginia doesn't actually have a specific list of qualifying conditions that are eligible for medicinal cannabis. The decision to recommend medical marijuana to treat a medical condition is at the discretion of the evaluating physician. This means that any doctor who is qualified to make medical marijuana recommendations can issue a written certification to any patient that they believe would benefit from the medicinal use of cannabis.

Does NuggMD have a refund policy in place for Virginia residents? If so, what are the details?

If you haven't gotten your recommendation form within 30 days, we'll provide a full refund. Simply contact customer care via support@nuggmd.com and add "refund request" to the subject line. Then provide a summary of the issue. Customer care will make it their personal mission to ensure you're 100% satisfied with our service. Once you're refunded, it's required that the doctor officially cancels your medical certification with the state. This means your certificate won't be available for legal use at a Virginia dispensary. It'll take 3-5 days for your refund to be fully processed and for the funds to appear in your account. If you have any questions or concerns during the process, don't hesitate to reach out to our support team!

How many medical marijuana dispensaries will be allowed in Virginia?

The Virginia legislature established a regulatory board in 2017 to oversee the production of medical marijuana extraction-based products by five different dispensary companies. The regulatory board assigned one dispensary per Health Service Area in the state. Each of these five dispensaries will be responsible for the cultivation, extraction, distribution, and delivery of these marijuana extracts in their assigned Health Service Area. Dispensaries in Virginia are referred to as "pharmaceutical processors" in the state law. They are required to be a fully vertically-integrated company. This means that the entire cannabis production/distribution process must be handled by the dispensary on one site, from the cultivation to the ultimate delivery of the product.

But the Virginia legislature has expanded the MMJ law in 2020. They have since allowed these dispensaries to open additional "dispensing facilities" in the Health Service Area they have been assigned.

What do Virginia MMJ patients need to bring when buying cannabis at a dispensary?

To purchase medical marijuana, a patient needs to have with them an unexpired state ID or driver's license, an MMJ license issued by the Virginia Board of Pharmacy, and a copy of their current written MMJ recommendation.

No one besides an MMJ patient or a registered caregiver is allowed to go inside a dispensary. This includes the children and spouses of patients unless they are also registered with the state program.

What is the limit on how much cannabis I can possess in Virginia?

Virginia law stipulates that patients only possess a "90-day supply" of cannabis. What constitutes a 90-day supply is determined by your evaluating physician.

What medicinal cannabis products are available to Virginia patients?

Virginia medical marijuana patients are only allowed to purchase cannabis products such as cannabis oils, edibles products (lozenges, baked goods, lollipops), vape cartridges, and extracts. Flower is not allowed.

Are Virginia patients limited to just cannabis oil extracts?

No, many formulations are allowed, and Virginia just passed a law in Feb. 2021 that allows the sale of flower as well. Flower sales should begin later this year. https://mjbizdaily.com/virginia-oks-smokable-flower-in-move-that-could-spark-medical-marijuana-sales/

Does Virginia only low-THC or CBD products?

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 psychoactive.

Can Virginia MMJ patients purchase cannabis flower?

Yes. The Virginia legislature passed a law in Feb. 2021 that allows sale of flower. Flower sales should begin later this year.

Can I get edibles in Virginia?

Yes, registered patients can purchase edible products in the form of lozenges, gelatin cubes, lollipops, and more.

Can my primary care doctor issue a written recommendation for MMJ in Virginia?

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 Virginia's cannabis program. If they're licensed by the Board of Pharmacy, 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.

How much does Virginia's state MMJ registration cost?

It costs $50 for patient registration and $25 for a parent/guardian/caregiver registration. This cost does not include any cost for your evaluation.

What documentation is required to register as an MMJ patient in Virginia?

How can I get in contact with Virginia's Board of Pharmacy?

Here is the contact information for the Board of Pharmacy:

Email pharmbd@dhp.virginia.gov

Phone: (804) 367-4444

Fax: (804) 527-4472

Virginia Board of Pharmacy

Perimeter Center

9960 Mayland Drive

Suite 300

Henrico, VA 23233-1463

How long do patients need to wait to receive their MMJ IDs in Virginia?

The Virginia Board of Pharmacy (BOP) can generally process MMJ applications within 7-10 days. Following your approval, the BOP will mail your ID to the address provided.

Can you become an MMJ caregiver in Virginia?

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

Do doctors prescribe medical marijuana in Virginia?

No physician in the United States can write prescriptions for medical marijuana because it's a Schedule 1 drug (except for Epidiolex, which is Schedule 2). Instead, they issue a written recommendation for its use.

Are marijuana preparations in Virginia psychoactive?

Yes. Remember that the word psychoactive refers to simply affecting the brain. 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 marijuana 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.

Is a Virginia MMJ ID valid or usable with other state's MMJ programs?

Virginia patients can use their MMJ IDs in other states. Some states recognize out-of-state IDs, but others do not. If so, they only allow out-of-staters to purchase medical marijuana to be used within that state. Marijuana cannot legally be transported across state lines. Call out-of-state dispensaries you plan on visiting ahead of time to see if your Virginia MMJ ID is valid in that state.

How long are Virginia MMJ registrations valid for?

Patient registrations in Virginia are valid for one year. To maintain their MMJ status, patients must revisit their doctors every year and receive another MMJ recommendation

Can my MMJ registration fees be covered by my insurance in Virginia?

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

If I am registered with the Virginia MMJ program, will this information be public?

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

Are Virginia MMJ patients allowed to cultivate marijuana?

At this time, Virginia does not allow its medical patients to grow marijuana.

Can I renew my medical marijuana card with NuggMD if I used a different practitioner last year?

Absolutely. You have the right to see whatever practitioner you choose to renew your medical marijuana certification, so long as they're licensed in the state and qualified to certify patients for cannabis use. All NuggMD practitioners are fully licensed in the state for which they provide evaluations and have obtained all state required education and certifications to recommend cannabis.