FAQs - Virginia Medical Marijuana Card

You need to arrange an appointment with a Virginia-licensed CCA practitioner via telemedicine or personally. In case of approval of your condition, the practitioner will provide you with a digital written certificate using the CCA portal, and after that, you can buy cannabis at dispensaries using your government identification and written certification.

Any citizen over 18 years old who has been diagnosed with a disease for which the licensed practitioner thinks cannabis will be beneficial is eligible to receive it. It is also possible to obtain a prescription for minors, but in that case, one of the parents must be registered as a registered agent of a minor to purchase from dispensaries.

Yes. There is no definite list of medical illnesses in Virginia. In accordance with Code of Virginia §54.1-3408.3, any disease that will benefit from cannabis use can be registered by the licensed practitioner who must be registered with the CCA. Among those diseases are anxiety, depression, PTSD, chronic pain, insomnia, and many others.

There is no state fee for the certification registration in Virginia – the written prescription will be given for free. If you want to have a physical or digital CCA card issued by the state, then there is a fee of $50 to register. The price for the physician’s consultation is usually between $99-$300 for new evaluations and $75-$129 for renewals.

Yes, Virginia does offer online doctor consultations to get a medical marijuana certification. It only takes 10 to 15 minutes over a secure video conference. The minute your application gets approved, your doctor will issue the certification online using the CCA Portal.

Since December 2025, your certification has been issued digitally via the CCA Portal, usually on the very same day of your evaluation. Upon submission by the practitioner, you receive your certification electronically in just a few hours and can use it together with your government-issued ID in any Virginia medical cannabis dispensary.

Book an evaluation follow-up appointment with a CCA-certified Virginia provider. Virtual appointments are allowed for certification renewal. Upon reapproval, the practitioner will issue an updated digital certification via the CCA portal, which you’ll receive the same day. There is no cost for Virginia state certification renewal, but practitioners do charge consultation fees.

Your medical cannabis can be purchased from any licensed Virginia dispensary. Your physician’s written certification (in printed or electronic form) and government-issued identification are all you need to purchase your medicine at the point of sale, and there is no need to have a separate registration card. By 2026, there will be dispensaries in most regions of Virginia, including Northern Virginia, Richmond, Hampton Roads, etc.

The validity period of the certification ranges from 1 year from its issuance date, but can be less due to the specific needs of the patient. It is advised that you start the renewal process 30-60 days before the expiration of the certification to ensure continuous access to dispensing.

The available forms of Virginia dispensary cannabis are flower (botanical cannabis), vaporizers, tinctures, oils, capsules, sprays, creams, gels, transdermal patches, lozenges, suppositories, and edibles. Medical dispensaries offer more concentrated forms of products compared to recreational ones, with maximum product potency up to 10 mg THC per unit dosage.

Yes. In Virginia, caregivers are referred to as “registered agents.” If the name of the caregiver appears on the patient’s written certification, there will be no need for separate registration, but otherwise, the individual has to register with the CCA and pay a registration fee of $25. Registered agents can provide services to up to two patients and have to be at least 18 years old.

Yes. Minor patients of any age, with parental consent, can qualify for the program. At least one parent or legal guardian has to be listed on the written certification, and a second parent can also register as an agent of the minor patient. It will be the parent or guardian who will make all purchases from dispensaries on behalf of the minor patient. Patients with severe disorders are those who most frequently receive certification under Virginia’s liberal qualifications.

Virginia adults 21 and above can legally grow up to four cannabis plants per household. This is a general right that belongs to all adults living in the state and is not directly linked to medical certification. However, plants should be grown in an out-of-sight place, and homegrown cannabis cannot be sold.

No. There is no inbound reciprocity program in Virginia, and the state does not recognize any out-of-state medical marijuana cards at licensed dispensaries within the state. Only certifications from registered practitioners within Virginia are recognized for purchasing medical marijuana.

No, not through any inbound reciprocity program because Virginia doesn’t have one. However, an out-of-state individual may arrange a telemedicine appointment with a CCA-registered Virginia practitioner, get a written Virginia certification, and purchase from a dispensary in Virginia. The process of certification is relatively fast and can take up to a few hours through telemedicine.

There are some employment protections available in Virginia – medical patients cannot be discriminated against for their certified status in the state. Nevertheless, employers may prohibit medical marijuana use at work, and employees in federal positions, safety-sensitive occupations and working on federal contracts have to adhere to the federal zero-tolerance policy on drugs.

Once your certificate expires, you cannot use it at dispensaries anymore. Have an evaluation by your registered Virginia practitioner with CCA – telemedicine is allowed – and you will get your new certification on that very day. There is no state renewal fee except for the practitioner consultation fee.

Major advantages are a legal way of purchasing cannabis from a licensed dispensary in Virginia, exemption from the 21% adult-use excise tax (just pay the 5.3% sales tax), 4 ounces monthly limit instead of 1 ounce for regular people, availability of stronger medical cannabis products, professional treatment, ability to access dispensaries at the age of 18 years old, and possibly utilizing your Virginia card in reciprocity states such as Washington D.C., Nevada, and Maine.

No. Since July 1, 2022, state registration is not required for Virginia Medical Cannabis patients. A written practitioner certification, together with your government-issued ID, is sufficient to obtain products from any licensed dispensary. In case you wish to have an additional CCA-issued digital card, you may register voluntarily for only $50.