Medical Marijuana in Virginia - Frequently Asked Questions

Virginia does not have a fixed list of qualifying medical conditions.

An eligible practitioner may issue a written medical cannabis certification when they determine that a diagnosed condition or disease may benefit from the use of medical cannabis.

Patients commonly ask about conditions such as chronic pain, anxiety, migraines, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, insomnia, and other diagnosed medical conditions. Eligibility is determined individually by the practitioner during the evaluation.

Virginia allows adults to possess limited amounts of marijuana, but recreational retail cannabis sales are not currently available through licensed adult-use dispensaries.

A valid medical cannabis certification provides access to Virginia’s licensed medical cannabis dispensaries and regulated medical cannabis products.

Virginia law also provides certain employment protections for lawful medical cannabis use when an employee has a valid written certification. These protections have important exceptions, including workplace impairment, possession during work hours, certain federal requirements, and some federally regulated employers.

After your online evaluation, the practitioner determines whether to issue a written medical cannabis certification.

If a certification is issued, it is created through the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority’s CCA Portal. Patients can access their digital certification through the portal and save or print a copy for their records.

Virginia patients are not required to complete a separate state patient registration application before purchasing medical cannabis.

Once your certification is active, you can visit a licensed Virginia medical cannabis dispensary with your valid certification and government-issued ID.

CannabisMD TeleMed makes the process simple. Virginia patients can complete an online medical cannabis evaluation with an eligible practitioner using a phone, tablet, or computer.

Appointments are completed through telemedicine, so there is no need to travel to an office.

A Virginia medical cannabis certification provides several practical benefits.

Patients with a valid certification can purchase regulated medical cannabis products from licensed Virginia dispensaries. These products are sold through the state-regulated medical cannabis system.

A valid written certification may also provide certain employment protections under Virginia law, although exceptions apply.

The medical program also gives patients access to licensed dispensaries while recreational retail cannabis sales remain unavailable in Virginia.

Patients with a valid written medical cannabis certification can purchase medical cannabis from licensed dispensaries throughout Virginia.

When visiting a dispensary, patients should bring their valid medical cannabis certification and a current government-issued photo ID. If the ID does not show a Virginia address, the dispensary may request additional proof of residency.

Virginia has multiple licensed medical cannabis dispensary locations across the state, and patients are not limited to a single dispensary or region.

You can view current Virginia dispensary locations on our Virginia Medical Cannabis Dispensaries page.

For patients using CannabisMD TeleMed, the cost of a Virginia medical cannabis evaluation is:

• $99 for new patients

• $89 for renewals

• $79 for renewal appointments for veterans and first responders

Discounts are available for veterans, first responders, and medical cannabis industry personnel..

There is no separate Virginia patient registration fee required to participate in the medical cannabis program.

At CannabisMD TeleMed, the full cost of the medical cannabis evaluation is $99 or less, depending on whether you are a new patient, renewing your certification, or eligible for a discount.

The process is simple. Patients should have a valid government-issued ID and be prepared to provide basic information about their medical history and current condition.

Relevant medical records can be helpful when available, but they are not always required before scheduling an evaluation.

Because CannabisMD TeleMed offers online evaluations, you will also need a phone, tablet, or computer with internet access for your appointment.

No. Virginia patients are no longer required to submit a separate patient registration application to participate in the medical cannabis program.

The primary document patients need is a valid written medical cannabis certification issued by an eligible practitioner.

Patients can access their certification through the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority’s CCA Portal.

Questions about Virginia’s medical cannabis program can be directed to the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority.

Virginia Cannabis Control Authority
9954 Mayland Drive, Suite 3100
Richmond, VA 23233

For questions specifically related to your CannabisMD TeleMed appointment or certification process, you can contact our support team directly.

Getting a Virginia medical cannabis certification can be completed online.

First, schedule an online evaluation with an eligible Virginia practitioner then meet with the practitioner through a real-time telemedicine visit.

The practitioner will review your medical history and determine whether to issue a written medical cannabis certification.

Once a certification is issued, it will be available through the CCA Portal and sent by email. You can then use your valid certification and government-issued ID at licensed Virginia medical cannabis dispensaries.

A separate state patient registration application is not required.

Yes. Patients in Midlothian can complete the medical cannabis evaluation process online through CannabisMD TeleMed.

You can schedule your appointment, complete your intake information, and meet with an eligible practitioner through telemedicine using your phone, tablet, or computer.

When the practitioner issues a written certification, it will be available through the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority’s CCA Portal.

There is no need to travel to Richmond or another city simply to complete the medical cannabis evaluation.

Yes. Richmond patients can complete their medical cannabis evaluation online through CannabisMD TeleMed.

The process includes scheduling an appointment, completing the patient intake information, and meeting with an eligible practitioner through telemedicine.

If the practitioner determines that a medical cannabis certification is appropriate, the certification is issued through the CCA Portal.

Patients can then use their valid certification and government-issued ID at licensed medical cannabis dispensaries in Virginia.

Yes. Virginia medical cannabis renewal evaluations can be completed through telemedicine with an eligible practitioner.

During the renewal appointment, the practitioner reviews your current information and determines whether to issue a new written certification.

CannabisMD TeleMed currently charges $89 for standard renewals and $79 for eligible veteran and first responder renewals.

A Virginia medical cannabis certification may be valid for up to one year.

The practitioner can issue a certification for a shorter period when appropriate, so patients should check the expiration date shown on their certification.

Patients should renew before the certification expires if they want uninterrupted access to Virginia’s medical cannabis program.

Patients should have a valid Virginia medical cannabis certification and a current government-issued photo ID when visiting a licensed medical cannabis dispensary.

A separate Virginia patient registration card is not required.

Dispensary procedures may vary slightly by location, particularly for first-time visitors, so patients may want to check the dispensary’s requirements before their first visit.