Virginians cannot access a licensed marijuana dispensary without a valid medical marijuana certification. The state’s laws for possession of marijuana have evolved — adult cannabis use has been legal since 2021 — but retail access to marijuana has lagged. At present, the earliest point at which adult-use marijuana dispensaries for recreational use would open statewide appears to be at least a year away.
“A lot of patients think that because the state passed recreational marijuana, they can just walk into a dispensary,” said Cassandra Brooks, president of Virginia Marijuana Card, a telemedicine-based medical cannabis certification service. “But right now, the only way to legally purchase cannabis in Virginia is with a medical marijuana certification.”
Accessing medical marijuana
To purchase medical marijuana in Virginia, patients must first receive a written certification from a licensed medical provider authorizing the use of cannabis. To qualify for a medical marijuana card, you must be a resident of the state, have a valid government-issued ID and have a condition that may benefit from the use of cannabis products.
Virginia Marijuana Card streamlines the process. The company aims to connect qualified patients with compassionate and knowledgeable physicians at an affordable cost.
“Patients can either call us or schedule online, and everything is done through telemedicine,” Brooks said. “We verify their ID, review their symptoms and medical history, and connect them with a licensed physician who completes the certification.”
Meeting patients’ needs
A growing body of clinical research suggests that cannabinoids such as THC and CBD may provide relief to patients with a number of conditions. In Virginia, however, rather than relying on a rigid list of qualifying diagnoses, licensed providers assess each patient individually.
“Virginia doesn’t require patients to have a specific diagnosis or jump through hoops,” Brooks said. “Licensed providers review a patient’s symptoms and medical history and determine whether medical cannabis could be a beneficial option for them.”
Licensed providers are focused on individualized evaluations to deliver better outcomes for the patients.
“We really take the time to educate patients, answer their questions and help them understand what products may actually work for them,” Brooks said.
By offering online evaluations and clear guidance from start to finish, Virginia Marijuana Card helps make access to medical cannabis simpler and more efficient.
How efficient? Patients who qualify for a medical marijuana card will have their certification paperwork to them by email within 15 minutes in most cases — at a cost of around $130 for new patients and $119 for patients who are renewing their medical marijuana card. Frequent discounts and price matching can bring those prices down further.
Virginia Marijuana Card emphasizes ongoing patient support and education that extends beyond the initial certification for a medical marijuana card. The company’s model is designed to help patients feel confident navigating dispensaries, product options and follow-up questions long after their initial appointment. Patients with questions or in need of further support can take advantage of unlimited follow-ups all year, completely free of charge.
“Without guidance, patients can spend a lot of money figuring it out on their own,” Brooks said. “Education helps them make better choices from the start.”
“Too often we hear from patients who got a card from someone else and can’t even get a call back. We’re still here, we answer the phone, and we make sure patients get the support they need.”
Click here to book an appointment with Virginia Marijuana Card.
Information provided is for educational and informational purposes only by the contributor and does not supersede any medical advice given by a physician. Cannabis is still considered a Schedule 1 controlled substance and is illegal under federal law. Adults who consume cannabis must keep cannabis products away from animals and out of reach of children. Note that the intoxicating effects of cannabis can sometimes be delayed, so do not operate a vehicle or machinery after consumption. Use of cannabis during pregnancy or while breastfeeding may be harmful. By purchasing cannabis from a dispensary, you are assuming the risk of any damage or loss that occurs during its use. The reader is responsible for complying with local laws.
