How to Qualify for Medical Marijuana in Virginia
Reviewed by Dr. Shatha Atiya, PsyD. Updated October 11, 2024
Qualifying for a medical marijuana card in Virginia is simple as long as you meet the requirements.
By the end of this page, you will have the answers to these questions:
- What conditions qualify for medical marijuana in Virginia?
- What are the Virginia medical marijuana card requirements?
- How to get a medical marijuana card in Virginia?
A Virginia medical marijuana card is no longer a requirement to access medicinal cannabis in the state. All you need is a valid written certification from a licensed MMJ doctor in Virginia and your government-issued ID to buy medical marijuana from dispensaries in VA.
Also, there are no qualifying conditions for medical marijuana in Virginia. So, your certifying physician determines whether cannabis could benefit your health.
While the Virginia medical card is not a requirement for medicinal cannabis in the state, it is an option. After certification, patients can opt to apply for the Virginia med card.
Do you want to get your written certification soon? Then, schedule an easy online appointment with one of our Virginia medical marijuana doctors near you.
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Is there a List of Qualifying Conditions for Medical Marijuana in Virginia?
No, Virginia doesn’t have a list of qualifying conditions for a medical marijuana card.
Instead, your VA medical marijuana doctor determines whether medicinal cannabis could help ease the symptoms of your illness.
Often, the doctor will consider cannabis treatment if you’re suffering from either:
- A chronic condition whose treatment includes prescription medication that could cause physical or psychological dependence.
- Or a chronic medical condition that causes severe, debilitating psychiatric disorders.
The absence of a list of qualifying conditions for a medical card should make it easier for patients to access medical marijuana in Virginia.
But, this may cause a problem for some who are unsure whether they can get medical marijuana for their specific condition. Some of the most common illnesses medical marijuana doctors certify patients for cannabis treatment include:
- Anxiety
- Cachexia and anorexia
- Cancer
- Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting
- Chronic pain
- Epilepsy
Does chronic pain make me eligible for medical marijuana in Virginia?
Yes. Chronic pain is a common reason patients seek cannabis treatment. Your certifying physician will likely recommend medical marijuana to help ease your pain.
Can you get a medical card for anxiety in Virginia?
Yes. You can get a medical card for anxiety in Virginia. But first, your medical marijuana doctor must determine if cannabis could ease your symptoms.
Virginia Medical Card Requirements – Am I Eligible?
To be eligible for medical marijuana in Virginia, you must fulfill the following medical card requirements:
1. Adult patients must be at least 18 years old.
2. Patients under 18 years old must have a designated and registered caregiver applying on their behalf.
3. All applicants must be Virginia residents.
4. Finally, patients must have a valid written certification from a Board-registered medical marijuana doctor in VA, indicating that the patient could benefit from cannabis treatment.
I Meet the Virginia Medical Card Requirements – What’s Next?
By now, you have a good idea of whether you qualify for medical marijuana. What’s next?
1. Book an appointment with a registered marijuana doctor in VA.
2. Attend your marijuana evaluation, and get certified if you qualify.
At this stage, you can use your certification to buy marijuana from dispensaries in Virginia. Still, you could voluntarily register with the Medical Cannabis Program and get a cannabis card.
3. Create your account on the patient portal.
4. Complete the registration process and pay the $50. Parents/legal guardians applying for a minor pay $25.
Which documents am I required to submit for my medical marijuana card application in Virginia?
To complete the Virginia medical marijuana card application online, you must scan and email the following documentation to the Board of Pharmacy:
1. Proof of identity. For example:
- Virginia Identification card
- U.S. passport
- Virginia driver’s license
2. Proof of residency. For instance:
- Virginia driver’s license
- Virginia identification card
- Tax receipt
3. Proof of age. For example:
- Birth certification
- VA identification card
- VA driver’s license
4. A copy of a written certification issued by a registered medical marijuana doctor in Virginia.
Note:
- By submitting a Virginia driver’s license, applicants satisfy the requirements for proof of age, residency, and identity.
- Send the required documents as PDF files or pictures. Do not send Google Drive or iCloud links.
Key Takeaways
- There are no qualifying conditions for a medical marijuana card in Virginia. Instead, the certifying medical marijuana doctor determines whether you could benefit from cannabis treatment.
- Only Virginia residents qualify for the state medical marijuana card.
- You can use your certification to buy marijuana from dispensaries in Virginia even if you do not have a medical card.
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