To qualify for medical cannabis in Virginia, you must follow these steps:

1. Consult a Registered Physician: You need to visit a physician who is registered with the Virginia Board of Pharmacy. The physician will assess whether medical cannabis is appropriate for your condition.
2. Receive Your Certification:
   • As of January 1, 2024, all certifications are issued electronically; paper forms are no longer accepted .
   • If approved, the provider will issue a certification through the VCCA’s secure online portal.
   • You will receive an email with a link to access your digital certification and optional medical cannabis card.comvirginiamarijuanacard.org
3. Optional: Register with the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority (VCCA)
   • While not required, you may choose to register with the VCCA to obtain a digital medical cannabis card.
   • Registration is completed online and requires a $50 annual fee for patients or $25 for registered agents (Please note that all prices are subject to change.)
4. Purchase Medical Cannabis
   • Visit a licensed dispensary in Virginia with your digital certification and a valid government-issued ID.
   • Dispensaries will verify your certification electronically; printing the certification is optional.
     cannabiscardsva.com

• Your medical cannabis certification in Virginia is valid for one year from the date it is issued.
• After one year, you will need to renew your certification by seeing your physician for a follow-up evaluation and submitting a renewal application.

• Physician Requirements: You must see a registered physician in Virginia to renew your certification. If your physician is no longer practicing, you’ll need to find another certified physician.
• Validity: Once renewed, your new medical cannabis card will be valid for one year from the date it is issued.
• No Lapse in Access: As long as your renewal is submitted on time, there should be no disruption in your access to medical cannabis.
• Minors: Patients under 18 years old who qualify for medical cannabis will need a caregiver. The caregiver must be a parent or legal guardian and will be responsible for purchasing and administering the cannabis to the minor.
• Home Cultivation: As of now, home cultivation of cannabis is not permitted in Virginia under the medical cannabis program.
• Recreational Cannabis: While recreational cannabis is legal for adults 21 and over in Virginia, the medical cannabis program is separate and still has its own registration and access process.

1. Schedule a Follow-up Appointment with Your Digidrs Physician:
2. • You must schedule a follow-up appointment with the certifying physician (the doctor who issued your original recommendation).
   • During the appointment, your physician will assess whether medical cannabis is still appropriate for your condition and if you continue to meet the eligibility criteria.
3. Re-evaluation by Your Physician:
   • The physician will conduct a re-evaluation of your condition, ensuring that medical cannabis remains an appropriate treatment for you.
   • They will verify whether there have been any changes in your condition or treatment needs.
   • If the physician determines that you still qualify for medical cannabis, they will submit a new recommendation to the Virginia Board of Pharmacy.
4. Submit Renewal Application:
   • After receiving your physician’s recommendation, you must submit a renewal application through the Virginia Medical Cannabis Program online portal.
   • The renewal application may require you to verify your personal information and upload any updated documents (e.g., proof of residency).
5. Pay the Renewal Fee:
   • You may need to pay a renewal fee, which is usually the same as the initial application fee. (Check the current fee schedule on the official website for details.)
6. Receive Your New Medical Cannabis Card:
   • Once your renewal application is processed and approved, you will receive a new medical cannabis card with an updated expiration date.
   • This card allows you to legally access medical cannabis from licensed dispensaries.

• Submit Early: It’s a good idea to submit your renewal application before your current certification expires to avoid any lapse in your ability to legally purchase cannabis.
• The process typically takes 1–2 weeks, but it’s wise to start the renewal process at least 30 days before your current card expires to ensure there are no issues with the timing.

1. Minors (Under 18 Years Old):
   • A caregiver is required for all minor patients (under 18 years old) who need medical cannabis.
   • The parent or legal guardian of the minor becomes the caregiver.
   • The caregiver is responsible for obtaining medical cannabis from licensed dispensaries, storing it, and administering it to the minor.
2. Adults with Disabilities or Impairments:
   • An adult patient who has a physical or mental condition that makes it difficult to manage their cannabis treatment may need a caregiver.
   • This could be due to mobility issues, cognitive impairments, or other health conditions that prevent the patient from purchasing cannabis or administering it on their own.
3. Severe or Terminal Illnesses:
   • Patients who are suffering from severe or terminal conditions may need a caregiver to help with managing their cannabis use, especially if they are bedridden or unable to visit dispensaries themselves.
4. Difficulty with Medical Cannabis Usage:
   • If the patient struggles with self-administering their cannabis, such as difficulty using certain delivery methods (e.g., oils, tinctures, vaporizers), a caregiver can assist with the proper dosage and use.

To qualify as a caregiver in Virginia, the individual must meet the following criteria:

1. Age: The caregiver must be at least 18 years old.
2. No Felony Convictions: Caregivers must not have felony convictions for drug-related offenses or violent crimes.
3. Residency: The caregiver must be a resident of Virginia.
4. One Patient at a Time: A caregiver can assist only one patient at a time, unless they are the parent or legal guardian of a minor.

A caregiver in Virginia has several important duties:

1. Acquiring Cannabis:
   • Caregivers can legally purchase medical cannabis from licensed dispensaries on behalf of the patient.
   • They must present both their caregiver ID card and the patient’s ID card when making purchases.
2. Administering Cannabis:
   • The caregiver is responsible for administering the medical cannabis to the patient as prescribed by the doctor.
   • This can include ensuring the correct dosage, method of consumption (e.g., tinctures, vapes), and monitoring the patient’s response.
3. Storing Cannabis:
   • The caregiver must store the cannabis in a secure location, keeping it safe from unauthorized access, especially in the case of children or others in the household.
4. Tracking and Monitoring Usage:
   • Caregivers should track how much cannabis the patient uses and make sure they’re following the prescribed treatment plan.
   • Any side effects or changes in the patient’s condition should be reported to the certifying physician.

To become a registered caregiver, the individual must follow these steps:

1. Physician’s Recommendation:
   • The patient’s certifying physician must approve the caregiver and provide the necessary documentation for registration.
2. Online Registration:
   • The caregiver must complete an online registration through the Virginia Board of Pharmacy.
   • This process includes providing personal information, proof of identity, and background check details.
3. Receive Caregiver ID Card:
   • Once approved, the caregiver will receive a caregiver ID card, which allows them to legally purchase and administer medical cannabis to the patient.

If you have a caregiver assisting you:

• They will need tore-register each year along with your renewal. Their status must also be updated when your certification is renewed.
• They will also need to provide their caregiver ID during any dispensary purchases on your behalf.

To qualify, you must be a Virginia resident and obtain a written certification from a licensed medical practitioner who determines that you have a condition that may benefit from medical cannabis.

Yes! With DigiDrs, you can complete the entire process online—from your initial application to your virtual doctor evaluation. Once approved, you’ll receive your Medical Cannabis Certification via email.

Virginia law permits registered patients to access various forms of medical cannabis, including oils, tinctures, capsules, and metered-dose inhalers. Smoking raw or crude cannabis is prohibited under Virginia law.

After your doctor approves your certification, DigiDrs typically delivers your recommendation within 24 hours. You can then use this certification to purchase medical cannabis from licensed dispensaries in Virginia.

Once you have your Medical Cannabis Certification, you can legally purchase medical cannabis from licensed dispensaries approved by the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority. A full list of dispensaries is available on their website: cca.virginia.gov

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