The Cannabis Control Authority (CCA) oversees Virginia’s medical cannabis program and makes registration optional for participants in the program. Patients, parents/legal guardians of minors, and registered agents of patients may choose to register with the CCA and receive digital registry ID cards. Patients and registered agents need written certifications, and not MMJ cards, to buy medical cannabis at dispensaries in Virginia. While registration is voluntary for agents and parents/legal guardians designated on patients’ written certifications, it is mandatory for those not named on these provider certifications.
The first step to accessing medical cannabis in Virginia is scheduling an appointment with a medical provider to obtain a certification. The Virginia medical cannabis program accepts written certifications provided by doctors of medicine (MDs), doctors of osteopathy (DOs), and physician assistants (PAs) licensed by the state’s Board of Medicine as well as advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) licensed by the Board of Medicine and the Board of Nursing. These healthcare providers can complete digital written certifications for patients on the medical cannabis portal or submit paper forms for cannabis certification after requesting them by email. Certifications completed online result in digital validations that patients can print. Medical providers that submit paper certifications will provide copies to the patients they certify.
Providers charge for the appointments leading to issuing patient certifications. The cost of such a consultation is set by each practitioner and may vary from $100 to $350.
The CCA charges $50 for voluntary patient registration in the Virginia medical cannabis program. The registration fee for parents/legal guardians and registered agents is $25. These fees qualify registrants for digital registration cards (for patients) and digital validation cards that are renewed annually for the same amounts.