Marijuana Dispensaries in Norfolk

Are there Marijuana Dispensaries in Norfolk?

No. Although recreational marijuana has now been legalized in Norfolk and other Virginia jurisdictions pursuant to HB 2312, cannabis sales for recreational purposes are not expected to begin until sometime in 2024. Even then, that timeline remains uncertain.

Are there Medical Marijuana Dispensaries in Norfolk?

No. Although medical marijuana dispensaries are legal in the City of Norfolk, no such cannabis businesses are currently operating in the city.

Can You Buy Cannabis from Online Weed Dispensaries in Norfolk?

You cannot buy cannabis from online weed dispensaries in Norfolk, as there are currently no dispensaries in the city. However, if you want to buy medicinal marijuana, you can purchase it online from weed dispensaries in other Virginia locations where medical marijuana dispensaries operate.

Visiting a Dispensary in Norfolk

You cannot visit a dispensary in the City of Norfolk, as no dispensaries exist in the city. Note that when adult-use cannabis sales begin in 2024 or beyond, visitors to recreational marijuana dispensaries will be required to prove that they are 21 or older to be permitted to enter such facilities. To purchase medical cannabis legally, you must hold a Written Certification for the Use of Medical Cannabis issued by a registered practitioner for Medical Cannabis and a government-issued ID.

Norfolk Dispensary Laws

The City of Norfolk permits the operation of cannabis dispensaries in the city. However, recreational cannabis dispensaries will not be allowed in the city until the state issues permits to regulate such cannabis operations. Per the City of Norfolk PH-02 Zoning Amendment, cannabis dispensaries will be allowed in the (C-C) Community-Commercial and (C-R) Regional-Commercial zoning districts. Cannabis dispensaries may not be allowed within 1,000 feet of a school or childcare facility or 1,000 feet of another cannabis dispensary. Cannabis dispensaries will be permitted to operate between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.

According to Virginia law, cannabis use is illegal on the premises of cannabis dispensaries, and sales may only be made to persons with verified identities and documentation.

Recreational Laws in Norfolk

In Norfolk, recreational cannabis is only legal for adults 21 years and older under SB 1406 and HB 2312. The bill makes it legal for adults over 21 to possess a maximum one ounce of cannabis and cultivate up to four marijuana plants per household. Cannabis cultivation must be done at the primary place of residence of the cultivator. The plants must not be visible publicly, and adequate precautions must be taken to prevent unauthorized access by persons younger than 21. It is illegal to manufacture concentrated marijuana from home-cultivated marijuana and to sell or distribute marijuana grown at home to other persons.

However, the bill stipulates that the retail sale of cannabis may not begin until at least July 2024. The delay is to allow time for the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority to establish the required framework for administering cannabis cultivation, manufacturing, and retail. The Virginia cannabis law permits the transfer of up to one ounce of marijuana between adults of legal age as long as remuneration is not involved.

Medical Cannabis Laws in Norfolk

Medical cannabis is legal for registered patients in Norfolk pursuant to the Virginia medical cannabis laws. State law allows registered Norfolk patients with debilitating medical conditions to access CBD or THCA oil to treat chronic conditions. Virginia cannabis law restricts possession and use of medical cannabis to a patient or if a patient is a vulnerable adult or minor, the patient's parent or guardian. A vulnerable adult refers to an individual aged 18 or older impaired by reason of mental or physical illness, intellectual or developmental disability, or other causes to make or carry out reasonable decisions concerning the adult's health.

Patients enrolled in the Virginia medical marijuana registry may buy cannabis oil from certified pharmaceutical processors. Such oils may contain up to 5 milligrams of CBD or THCA but no more than 10 milligrams of THC per dosage. Medical cannabis oil is available in the form of sprays, oils, capsules, lotions, tinctures, gels, lozenges, patches, troches, suppositories, lollipops, and inhalation products. The Virginia legislature enacted (HB 2218/SB 1333) in 2021 to enable registered patients to access whole-plant, "botanical" cannabis. However, minor patients are required to have their practitioners authorize the use of botanical cannabis on their written certification form before consuming botanical cannabis.

As of July 2022, medical marijuana parents, legal guardians, and patients are no longer required to register with the pharmacy board. A Written Certification for the Use of Medical Cannabis obtained from a registered medical cannabis practitioner and a government-issued ID are the only documents required to obtain medical cannabis products. Proof of registration with the Virginia Board of Pharmacy is no longer required to obtain medical cannabis.

How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card in Norfolk

You can obtain a medical marijuana card in Norfolk if you have obtained certification from a Virginia-licensed healthcare practitioner for a qualifying medical condition in Virginia. A qualifying condition is any debilitating or chronic condition that, in your attending physician's determination, may be treated with medical cannabis. Typically, such conditions include autism, cancer, hepatitis C, Alzheimer’s disease, glaucoma, PTSD, cachexia, multiple sclerosis, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

You may obtain a medical cannabis certification from a Doctor of Osteopathy, Doctor of Medicine, or pursuant to a 2019 law, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner. You can find healthcare providers approved to issue medical cannabis certifications on a list of registered practitioners on the Virginia Department of Health Professions' website. Upon obtaining a medical cannabis certification, you must apply to the Virginia Board of Pharmacy to obtain a medical marijuana card.

To apply for a medical marijuana card:

• Visit the Initial Application Portal of the Virginia Board of Pharmacy

• Create and verify your account on the portal

• Return to the portal and select “Initial Application” from the left menu

• On the application licensure screen, select "Pharmaceutical Processing" from the dropdown labeled "profession"

• Select "Registered Patient for Medical Cannabis" if you are a patient or "Registered Parent or Guardian of Medical Cannabis" from the dropdown labeled "license type"

• Select "Initial Application" from the dropdown labeled "Obtained By"

• Pay the non-refundable application fee: $50 for a patient, $25 for a parent or legal guardian

• Upload the required documentation to complete the application:

  • A copy of the written medical marijuana certification issued by a Virginia-registered practitioner

  • Proof of residency in Norfolk and proof of residency of a legal guardian or parent, if applicable. A Virginia-issued ID card or tax receipt will suffice

  • Proof of identity. If you are applying as a minor, proof of identity of your legal guardian or parent, such as a government-issued identification card will be required

  • Proof of age, such as a birth certificate or other government-issued ID

A valid state driver’s license fulfills the requirements for proof of age, identity, and residency. Note that the preferred receipt method for the support documentation is by email at cbd@dhp.virginia.gov. If email is not available, fax the documents to (804) 527-4472 or mail them to:

Virginia Board of Pharmacy

Perimeter Center

9960 Mayland Drive

Suite 300

Henrico, VA 23233-1463

It may take up to 60 business days for your application to be reviewed. Upon application approval, a physical medical marijuana registration card will be mailed to your address, as stated on the application. For more information on obtaining a medical marijuana card, contact the state Board of Pharmacy at (804) 367-4456 or check the patient registration instructions guide.

Where is it Legal to Consume Cannabis in Norfolk?

You can consume cannabis in private homes in Norfolk but not in public locations such as streets, walkways, restaurants, bars, and schools.

How to Buy Cannabis at a Norfolk Dispensary

You cannot purchase cannabis at a Norfolk dispensary as of this moment. While the city permits the operations of medical cannabis dispensaries, recreational cannabis outlets have not yet begun statewide in Virginia. Also, there are no medical cannabis dispensaries in the city.

The Average Price in Norfolk

The average price of weed in Norfolk will be known once cannabis dispensaries open in the city.

Most Popular Strains in Norfolk

Popular weed strains consumed by residents in Norfolk will be known when dispensaries open in the city.

Can You Smoke in Public in Norfolk?

No. Smoking or consuming marijuana or marijuana products in any public place is illegal in Norfolk.

How Much Marijuana Can You Possess at Once in Norfolk?

Possession of any marijuana products other than a 90-day supply of medical marijuana oil by anyone other than a registered patient is illegal in Norfolk. However, possession of up to 1 ounce of cannabis is decriminalized, meaning the maximum punishment for possessing 1 ounce of marijuana is a $25 fine.

Can I Ship Cannabis in Norfolk?

No. With marijuana still a Schedule I banned drug, shipping cannabis across state lines in Norfolk is illegal.

Can I Order Cannabis Online in Norfolk?

You cannot currently order cannabis online as there are no cannabis retail outlets in the city. However, once cannabis retail outlets open in the city, you will be able to order cannabis online. Residents looking to buy medical marijuana can order medical cannabis from other Virginia jurisdictions.

Are there 24-hour Dispensaries in Norfolk?

Currently, there are no 24-hour dispensaries in Norfolk. When cannabis pot shops open in the city, their operation hours are limited to between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.

Can Tourists Use Dispensaries in Norfolk?

When cannabis retail outlets begin operations in Norfolk, tourists who are at least 21 may purchase cannabis from such businesses, provided they have valid government-issued IDs. However, there are currently no medical or recreational cannabis marijuana dispensaries in the city.

Do You Need ID for Dispensary in Norfolk?

Virginia law requires dispensaries to only sell recreational cannabis to persons aged 21 or older. Medical cannabis may be sold to persons with medical marijuana cards or Written Certification for the Use of Medical Cannabis. Note that no cannabis dispensary exists in the city as of this moment.

Best Dispensaries in Norfolk

There are currently no dispensaries operating in Norfolk.

Do Dispensaries Scan your ID in Norfolk?

When cannabis dispensaries open in Norfolk, they will be required to comply with Virginia law requiring cannabis retail outlets to ensure cannabis and cannabis products are only sold to persons of legal age with valid documentation. Norfolk dispensaries will scan customers' IDs when entering or purchasing cannabis from their facilities.

How Many Dispensaries are in Norfolk?

There are currently no weed dispensaries in Norfolk.

Can Dispensaries in Norfolk Take Credit Cards?

It is not yet certain what type of payment will be preferred by cannabis dispensaries in Norfolk until cannabis retail operations start in the city. However, with federal law classifying marijuana as a prohibited drug, credit card companies do not usually support transactions involving cannabis. Hence, cannabis transactions are likely to be more commonly completed using cash.

How Many Dispensaries Can You Visit in One Day?

Although there are no dispensaries in the City of Norfolk, there are no statutes limiting the number of dispensaries to visit in one day when such cannabis businesses are established in the city.

Do Dispensaries in Norfolk Take Health Insurance?

Although there are no marijuana dispensaries in the City of Norfolk, health insurance policies do not usually cover marijuana purchases since health insurance businesses operate by federal law, which deems cannabis illegal.

Do Dispensaries in Norfolk Track How Much Weed You Buy?

In compliance with Virginia law, Norfolk dispensaries will track customers’ weed purchases when cannabis retail businesses open in the city to keep customers' purchases within the stipulated limits. Currently, no cannabis business exists in the city selling medical or adult-use cannabis.

Can You Enter a Dispensary in Norfolk at Age 18?

Although there are currently no marijuana dispensaries in Norfolk, you will not be able to enter such facilities when they finally open unless you are 21 or older. If you are 18 and hold a medical marijuana card or Written Certification for the Use of Medical Cannabis, you will be permitted to enter a dispensary selling medical cannabis products.

Where Can I Find Norfolk Cannabis Regulator’s Contact Information?

The Virginia Board of Pharmacy regulates cannabis operations related to medicinal use in the City of Norfolk. The Board of Pharmacy operates under the state's Department of Health Professions. The Virginia Cannabis Control Authority will oversee adult-use cannabis in the City when recreational cannabis sales and business licensing begin. You may contact the Virginia Board of Pharmacy at (804) 367-4456 or pharmbd@dhp.virginia.gov. The Virginia Cannabis Control Authority (CCA) can be reached at info@cca.virginia.gov.

How Do I Report Illegal Cannabis Activities in Norfolk?

Norfolk residents can report illegal cannabis activities by filing a complaint to the Enforcement Division of the Virginia Department of Health Professions (DHP) or by contacting the Norfolk Police Department. You may contact the Norfolk Police Department at (757) 664 3277 or 1-888-562-5887. You may also reach the PD by email at police@norfolk.gov or use the Norfolk Citizen Online Reporting System to report illegal cannabis activities in the city.