As of July 1, 2022, people are no longer required to register with the Virginia Board of Pharmacy to use their medical marijuana license. However, anyone eligible for medical marijuana must still present a written certification for the use of medical cannabis from a registered practitioner for medical cannabis at the medical marijuana dispensary. This must be accompanied by a government-issued ID, such as a driver’s license or passport. Read on for more information.

How Can I Acquire Medical Marijuana in Virginia?

The first step is to get the written certification from a practitioner registered in the state of Virginia. (You can find a list of registered practitioners here.) Once certified, the state Board of Pharmacy will email you the registration card, which should be presented to the dispensary.

The Board of Pharmacy used to mail out physical registration cards, but because of continuing postal issues, they reverted to email cards instead. People can request a physical card if they would rather not use the digital version via email.

How Long Does the Medical Marijuana Registration Certification Last?

The medical marijuana certification lasts one year, then it must be renewed to continue acquiring medical marijuana. The Board of Pharmacy will email when it’s time to renew. You can’t apply for renewal until you receive that email. Once you receive it, the process is similar to applying for the original certification.

How Can I Get the Medical Marijuana Registration for a Minor or Someone for Whom I’m the Legal Guardian?

You must apply to the Board of Pharmacy as a registered parent/guardian of cannabis oil. This is a somewhat complicated process, and it’s vital that you follow all the steps correctly. You can also contact our legal team for assistance, as we’re experienced in helping people through the process and understand the requirements for each step.

  1. Begin the registration process at the Virginia Department of Health Professionals website. Note: If you already have an account for yourself, log into that account–don’t set up a new account. If you don’t have an account, proceed with the “Register a Person” page.
  2. Once the account is set up or accessed, click Initial Application from the menu on the left side of the web page. That takes you to the Application for Licensure page.
  3. On the Application for Licensure page, click on Pharmaceutical Processing–Cannabis Oil. 
  4. There’s a License Type box. From its dropdown menu, choose Cannabis Oil–Parent/Guardian, then select Initial Application from the Obtained By dropdown menu. Note: Only parents or legal guardians can fill out the application. If you’re helping a friend do this, don’t fill it out for them–only walk them through the steps.
  5. Complete the application and pay the parent/guardian fee ($25). 
  6. Provide a copy (not the original) of these documents: 
  • Written certification for medical marijuana provided by a registered practitioner
  • Proof of residency for both the patient and the parent/guardian
  • Proof of identity for the patient. If the patient is a minor, then you also need to submit proof of identity for the parent/guardian.
  • Proof of the patient’s age (such as a birth certificate)

Note: A valid Virginia driver’s license provides proof of residency, identity, and age. 

Once you’ve submitted the above, the state will reach out via email if it has any questions. Allow 60 business days for the registration to be processed.

What Is a Registered Agent?

A registered agent is someone a patient or the patient’s parent/guardian has requested to be the person who can purchase medical marijuana on the patient’s behalf. A registered agent may act on behalf of two patients at a time. The application process is similar to that described above for parents/guardians, but the prospective agent would select Registered Agent for Cannabis Oil from the License Type dropdown menu rather than parent/guardian.

If Marijuana is Legal in Virginia, Why Should I Go Through the Registration Process?

It’s true that marijuana is legal in the state of Virginia. However, it’s only legal for people 21 and older, so a minor in need of medical marijuana must go through the registration process (via their parent or legal guardian) to purchase it legally.

It’s important to understand that even though marijuana is legal in Maryland, there are still restrictions that can lead to legal consequences. Possession of marijuana at a residence for personal use is legal, as is having up to one ounce in public. However, having 1-4 ounces in public is a civil violation with a light penalty ($25); 4-16 ounces in public is a misdemeanor that can result in a $500 fine for the first offense or $1,000 and possibility of up to six months in jail for a subsequent offense; and having more than 1 pound in public is a felony that can result in a $250,000 fine and up to 10 years in jail.

What Should I Do if I Have Questions about Applying for a Medical Marijuana License in Virginia?

Call me at 703-688-9236 to request a free case evaluation. Medical marijuana can be an excellent tool for a patient in need. But the application can be time-consuming and complex. While it may be tempting to just purchase marijuana on your own, since it’s legal for people 21 and older in Virginia, there are still legal risks and consequences to doing so, particularly in terms of quantity. Someone who needs medical marijuana to manage their health and pain conditions doesn’t want to add legal woes to their situation.