Frequently Asked Questions

The law restricts the use of Medical Cannabis products to a patient or, if such patient is a minor or an vulnerable adult as defined in 18.2-369, such patient’s parent or guardian for treatment or to alleviate the symptoms of any diagnosed condition or disease determined by the practitioner to benefit from such use. Effective July 1, 2022, HB933 removes the requirement for patients, parents, and legal guardians to register with the Board of Pharmacy. A Written Certification for the Use of Medical Cannabis from a Registered Practitioner for Medical Cannabis is still required and must be presented at the dispensary, along with a government-issued ID, to obtain Medical Cannabis products.

Prior to July 1, 2022
Prior to July 1, 2022, patients, parents or legal guardians must continue to present a Written Certification, Board Registration, and government-issued ID at the dispensary to obtain Medical Cannabis products. Applications submitted to the Board of Pharmacy prior to 7/1/2022, for either a Registered Patient for Medical Cannabis or Registered Parent/Legal Guardian for Medical Cannabis, will continue to be processed, in the order in which there were received, and within 60 business days, even if the processing date is after July 1, 2022. Application fees are nonrefundable.

Post July 1, 2022
As of July 1, 2022, Medical Cannabis patients, parents or legal guardians are no longer required to register with the Board of Pharmacy. A Written Certification for the Use of Medical Cannabis from a Registered Practitioner for Medical Cannabis will still be required and must be presented at the dispensary, along with a government-issued ID, to obtain Medical Cannabis products. Showing proof of registration with the Board of Pharmacy will no longer be required.

Optional Registration Card
While the law will no longer require a patient, parent, or legal guardian to obtain registration from the Board as of July 1, 2022, an optional registration card for Medical Cannabis may be obtained for $50. To obtain the optional card, submit the online application, $50 application fee, copy of the Written Certification for the Use of Medical Cannabis and proof of age, identity and residency to the Board. Allow approximately 60 business days for processing a complete application. Applications submitted with incomplete information cannot be processed. Once the registration is issued, a physical Medical Cannabis registration card will be mailed to the patient, parent or legal guardian’s address of record on the application.

No, as long as your current written certification has not expired it will be accepted at the pharmaceutical processor. The next time you renew your written certification, the practitioner will provide you with an updated version

The initial registration fee is $50 and the annual renewal fee is $50.

The initial registration fee is $25 and the annual renewal fee is $25.

The parent or legal guardian must be listed on the written certification provided for the patient from the registered practitioner. If the parent/legal guardian wishes to obtain an optional registration card for both the patient and themselves, they would need to apply for board registration for both the patient and for himself or herself as the parent or legal guardian.

Each parent or legal guardian who intends to possess medical cannabis products must be issued a written certification in his or her name. Additionally, each parent or legal guardian issued a written certification must obtain board registration in order to possess medical cannabis products ONLY if they wish to obtain an optional registration card.

Yes, please refer to the list below for permitted pharmaceutical processors and cannabis dispensing facilities and their contact information

Botanical cannabis products are currently available for dispensing to medical cannabis patients.

No more than four ounces of botanical cannabis shall be dispensed for each 30-day period.
Any dispensed botanical cannabis is calculated into the total 90-day supply of medical cannabis products that may be obtained by a registered patient.

Yes, botanical cannabis may be dispensed to minor patients. However, any practitioner intending to treat a minor patient with botanical cannabis must authorize such use on the written certification form.

Other states may honor a Virginia patient registration card to purchase and consume cannabis products within their state. Each state establishes their own regulations regarding visitor purchase allowances. It is recommended that you review the requirements of the state you are planning to visit.

A patient, or the patient’s parent or legal guardian, may choose a registered agent to receive medical cannabis on behalf of the patient.

An individual may serve as a registered agent for no more than 2 registered patients.

A registered agent may apply for registration with the Virginia Board of Pharmacy when a patient requests that they obtain medical cannabis on the patient’s behalf.

The initial registration fee is $25 and the annual renewal fee is $25.

Yes, a registered agent will still be required to register with the Virginia Board of Pharmacy after July 1, 2022.