Virginia Medical Marijuana Patient Information

What Conditions Can Medical Marijuana Be Used for in Virginia?

Numerous conditions can be treated with medical marijuana use. Pursuant to § 54.1-3408.3 the following conditions qualifies an individual for medical marijuana use:

• Crohn's disease is a long-term inflammatory bowel disease that affects the lining of the digestive tract. The late stages of this condition can have life-threatening complications.

• Cancer are groups of diseases associated with abnormal cell growth, capable of spreading to other parts of the body.

• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome(AIDS); This condition affects the body's ability to fight infections and can be transmitted through contact with infected blood or bodily fluids.

• Alzheimer's disease is a deteriorating medical condition that affects parts of the brain responsible for thoughts, memory, and languages, a common type of dementia. Alzheimer's disease negatively affects Virginia patients' abilities to hold conversations, due to loss of memories.

• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are groups of motor neuron diseases that affect nerve cells(neurons) that are responsible for voluntary muscle movements, including muscles responsible for eating, chewing, and walking.

The list proved above isn't all-encompassing as numerous medical conditions are capable of being treated with medical marijuana in Virginia.

What does an MMJ Card Permit in Virginia?

Among the numerous uses of MMJ cards within Virginia, some of the most common includes;

• Medical marijuana patient rights protection: The 2020 SB 1015 bill passed in Virginia protects every registered bearer of an MMJ card from prosecution by any of the state's law enforcement agencies. Virginians caught in possession of an ounce of marijuana or more without a valid MMJ card are charged a fine of $20, without facing jail time or any addition to the offender's criminal records.

• Access to state-licensed dispensaries; a total of four dispensaries are available within Virginia, these dispensaries limit their customers to valid MMJ cardholders.

• Legal farming of marijuana: as of 1 July, Virginia MMJ card beares would be allowed to grow marijuana as long as some conditions are met which includes plants not being visible to the public, plants being properly labeled with the grower's ID, and only fours plants are allowed to be grown by a single person.

• Minors' access to medical marijuana treatments: registered caregivers with a valid MMJ card can aid minors in accessing marijuana, which can be dire for diagnosed minors with debilitating medical conditions capable of being treated with medical marijuana use.

How long is a Virginia medical marijuana card valid?

MMJ cards are usually valid for 12months in Virginia, on exhaustion, medical marijuana patients are expected to renew their cards to continue enjoying patients' rights provided by these cards.

Does Virginia have Medical Marijuana Reciprocity?

Medical marijuana reciprocity is not recognized in Virginia, this implies that only state-issued MMJ cards are valid within Virginia, hence visiting medical marijuana patients aren't legally allowed to purchase marijuana or marijuana-based products from Virginian dispensaries.

Medical marijuana reciprocity refers to consideration given by a state or country, to allow for non-state issued MMJ cards validity within the state or country, not limiting medical marijuana card's usage to its issued state.

Is an MMIC Valid outside of Virginia?

Virginia MMIC is accepted outside Virginia. Although the state does not have any reciprocity laws in place, hence VA dispensaries only accept Virginia-issued MMIC. The following states accept out-of-state MMIC which includes Virginia cards;

• Arkansas.

• Hawaii.

• Maine.

• Nevada.

• New Hampshire.

• New Mexico.

• Oklahoma.

• Rhode Island.

• Utah.

• Washington D.C.

Is an MMIC Valid in Other Virginia Counties?

Virginia medical marijuana identification cards(MMIC) are valid within all VA counties since the state's medical-marijuana program isn't county-based. Issued MMIC cards can be used interchangeably within Virginia counties.

Does Virginia Accept Medical Marijuana Cards issued by another State?

Only Virginia state-issued medical marijuana cards are recognized within the state. This is due to the state's non-recognition of medical marijuana reciprocity.

Does a Virginia MMIC Protect Me Under Federal Law?

A virgina MMIC is void under federal laws due to marijuana still being illegal and categorized as a controlled substance per the 1970 controlled substances act, although medical use of marijuana is legal under Virginia state laws.