Medical Cannabis in Virginia: 5 Things Patients Should Know
As medical marijuana becomes more prevalent in Virginia, curiosity is on the rise, as well. Since the law changed in March of 2019, anyone who thought about getting prescribed medical cannabis in Virginia has been wondering about Virginia’s medical marijuana program.
Is medical marijuana legal to possess? Is it easy to apply for an MMJ card? Where can I purchase medical cannabis in Virginia? Can I get a card as a caregiver?
We’re here to clarify the most common questions regarding the state of Virginia’s medical cannabis. Here’s an overview of what you should know if you’re considering becoming a medical marijuana patient in Virginia:
1. Medical Cannabis Use in Virginia is Protected, But Not Actually Legal
No, you’re not going to get arrested as a patient, as long as you go through the process of getting your MMJ card. The rules are actually quite unique to Virginia’s medical marijuana market.
At this point, the legal status of medical marijuana in Virginia is still sketchy because federally legalization hasn’t happened yet. The current state of the industry is people can use the “affirmative defense” status to bypass federal prohibition.
For those seeking medical cannabis in Virginia, you’ll need to visit a licensed physician first. These physicians are responsible for issuing certifications to prospective patients and caregivers. While these are not prescriptions, the certification protects patients from receiving criminal charges without changing the legal status of marijuana.
If prescriptions were allowed, patients would legally have the privilege to obtain and use medical marijuana in the state. However, the certifications are a nice loophole to use if you’re planning to use medical cannabis to treat a condition.
2. Virginia’s Rules on Cannabis Products are Quite Strict
Thinking about getting your MMJ card in Virginia? Well, it’s important to understand that the card will only allow you to purchase specific products. Virginia cannabis law places limits on certain products and concentrations.
Before Governor Ralph Northam passed SB 1577, Virginia law permitted THC-A oil and CBD oil. THC-A is the acidic precursor to the primary psychoactive compound found in the cannabis plant. Even though THC-A doesn’t offer psychoactive reactions, it offers some of the same therapeutic benefits.
Now that SB 1577 is in place, many cannabis products are now more accessible for Virginia residents. In the past, residents had to buy oils, lacking other options. Currently, Virginias can purchase a wide assortment of products, including creams, topicals, capsules, and sprays.
However, even with the law change permitting more THC in the products, cannabis products in Virginia cannot have more than 10mg of the cannabinoid. Even though 10mg of THC is the average you’ll find in cannabis products, products containing excessive amounts of this psychoactive compound are not available on the legal Virginia cannabis market.
Patients will also find that they cannot purchase cannabis flowers or edibles at this point. While this could change in the future, the laws regarding cannabis products in Virginia still limit what’s legally accessible.
3. The Board of Pharmacy Requires Would-be Patients to Register for an MMJ Card
Once you know you want to get a medical marijuana card in Virginia, you’ll need to become a patient. Initially, you’ll have to obtain a written certification from a licensed physician registered with the state Board of Pharmacy. CannabisRxHealth is here to help.
During your visit with CannabisRxHealth, you’ll meet with one of our licensed doctors and receive a consultation. The doctor will review your medical records and give you the medical cannabis certification. If you don’t qualify, your visit is free.
Once you qualify for an MMJ card, it’s time to register with the state. This is something we’ll help with at no extra cost, although registering with the Board of Pharmacy costs $50. Visit our site to make your appointment today, or feel free to email us here.
4. Only Five Licensed Pharmaceutical Processors in Virginia
At this point, we only have five medical marijuana dispensaries in Virginia. With one dispensary for each Health Service Area (HSA) in the state, it’s safe to say the state is currently lacking in its distribution efforts.
Even with this being the case, these state-run dispensaries are responsible for growing, extracting, and dispensing cannabis in Virginia. These are the facilities you should know about:
Columbia Care in Portsmouth
Columbia Care incorporates health and wellness solutions through its use of data and research. This company is full of innovations aimed at increasing cannabis and plant-based solution accessibility.
Dalitso in Manassas
Dalitso, or Beyond/Hello, will be offering medical cannabis through its dispensary in Virginia. The products are all grown and manufactured in Virginia, keeping high-quality standards in mind throughout the process.
Dharma Pharmaceuticals in Bristol
Dharma Pharmaceuticals is locally-owned in Bristol. They’re offering high-quality CBD and THC-A oil products in the Virginia medical cannabis market.
Green Leaf in Richmond
Green Leaf in Richmond is set to start serving patients with their 82,000 square foot facility in Bedford County, PA. They’re housing over 200 genetics and a state of the art extraction lab, and they’re planning to offer concentrates at the Richmond dispensary during the 2nd quarter of 2020.
PharmaCann in Staunton
Founded in 2014, PharmaCanna is one of the largest cannabis companies in the country. The company provides safe, reliable, top-quality cannabis products while investing in its people, practices, and infrastructure as they shape this wellness-focused industry.
5. Caregivers can Receive a Recommendation for an MMJ Card
Some people are unable to get an MMJ card for themselves. In cases like these, a caregiver can get a card on behalf of a minor or incapacitated adult. With this in mind, caregivers can receive a cannabis recommendation in accordance with the state’s medical marijuana program.
While caregivers can get a card, the registration process becomes a little more complicated. You’ll need to register for the patient as well as for yourself as the guardian. Registering as a caregiver means you’ll be able to buy cannabis products for the patient and administer the medicine as needed.
Get a Virginia Medical Marijuana Card Now
For those considering a Virginia medical marijuana card, CannabisRxHealth is ready to help. Feel free to reach out to us at any time via call or text at 703–861–1136.
Our medical professionals can answer questions and guide you to get your Virginia cannabis certification. We’ll make the process as easy as possible.
