Certification in Virginia
Speak to your medical provider about obtaining a medical certification in the state of Virginia. A pharmacist at one of our locations is ready to assist you.
Individuals engaging with GreenRidge Medicinal pursue a full, evidence-based approach to health improvement, not merely symptom management. Our patient demographic encompasses a broad spectrum, ranging from those confronting persistent health challenges to individuals in search of specific therapeutic outcomes. The uniting ambition is an enhanced quality of life facilitated by research-backed, efficacious, and conveniently accessible products for treatment. GreenRidge Medicinal takes pride in contributing substantively to each person’s health narrative, offering more than botanical solutions.
1st Step
Your journey starts here – the most important step.
Obtaining a cannabis certification through a medical provider is the first step. Consult a medical provider about treatment options, benefits, risks, address any questions, and obtain your certification.
2nd Step
Halfway there – relief options and treatment are next.
Once you’ve obtained your certification, you will now have access to convenient products that your medical provider has deemed a viable option for treatment.
3rd Step
You’re done! Once you’ve met all requirements, come see us.
Visit one of our locations and consult the pharmacist to learn more about product types, dosing, and what will work best for you. Explore our compassionate care program now.
What to Expect During the Process
Securing a medical cannabis recommendation entails a series of critical steps, meticulously structured to facilitate access for patients with genuine medical needs. The following outlines the anticipated process:
Application Submission
Completing and submitting your application to the State of Virginia.
This established procedure meticulously verifies that each patient receives the necessary authorizations, thus maintaining adherence to Virginia’s medical cannabis regulations. By doing so, it upholds the integrity of the system, confirming that those who embark on this treatment path do so with the full sanction of the law. It is a process designed with dual objectives: to protect patient rights and ensure legal compliance, ultimately fostering a responsible, ethical framework for the use of medical cannabis in therapeutic settings. This careful alignment with legal stipulations serves to endorse the legitimacy and safety of medical cannabis treatment for qualified patients within the state.
Understanding State Rules and Regulations
Virginia’s medical cannabis program is regulated to ensure patient safety and compliance with state laws. It’s important for patients to be familiar with these regulations, including:
- Eligibility criteria for medical cannabis use.
- The process for registering with the state.
- Legal possession limits and consumption guidelines.
For detailed information on the legal use of medical marijuana in Virginia, including the latest updates and FAQs, please visit the official Virginia Cannabis Control Authority website.
The Answers You're Looking For
A patient who has received a written certification from a medical practitioner who has determined the patient has a condition or a disease that would benefit from the use of medical cannabis. Click here for more information on becoming a medical cannabis patient.
To become a Virginia medical cannabis program patient, you must:
- Be a Virginia resident
- Have a condition that may benefit from the use of cannabis products
- Have a valid government-issued form of identification
If you meet these qualifications, you must receive a written certification from a qualified healthcare practitioner before purchasing medical cannabis. Parents or legal guardians may be listed on a written certification for a minor or vulnerable adult to purchase medical cannabis on their behalf. A patient, parent, or legal guardian can also designate a registered agent to purchase medical cannabis on the patient’s behalf. Certifications are valid for one year unless the practitioner designates an earlier expiration.
After a written certification is issued, a patient can access a digital “Validation of Written Certification” which, when presented at one of the state-designated cannabis dispensaries, along with a valid government issued identification card, enables the purchase of medical cannabis.
Click here for more information on becoming a medical cannabis patient.
No. The law no longer requires a patient to receive a registration card from the CCA.
A patient’s parent, legal guardian, or registered agent is not required to register with the CCA if the practitioner designates them as such on the written certification. If not designated on the written certification, a parent, legal guardian, or registered agent must register with the CCA to receive medical cannabis on behalf of the patient.
When a practitioner completes a written certification in the medical cannabis portal, it generates a digital “Validation of Written Certification”. This digital validation can be printed out as needed or stored on an electronic device. Patients who choose to register with the CCA, at the cost of $50 per year, will receive a digital registered patient card in addition to their “Validation of Written Certification.”
No. The law no longer requires a patient to receive a registration card from the CCA.
A patient’s parent, legal guardian, or registered agent is not required to register with the CCA if the practitioner designates them as such on the written certification. If not designated on the written certification, a parent, legal guardian, or registered agent must register with the CCA to receive medical cannabis on behalf of the patient.
When a practitioner completes a written certification in the medical cannabis portal, it generates a digital “Validation of Written Certification”. This digital validation can be printed out as needed or stored on an electronic device. Patients who choose to register with the CCA, at the cost of $50 per year, will receive a digital registered patient card in addition to their “Validation of Written Certification.”
The initial registration fee is $25, and the annual renewal fee is $25.
A certification for medical cannabis from a medical practitioner is valid for one year unless the medical practitioner designates an earlier expiration on the written certification.
The parent or legal guardian must be listed on the written certification completed by the qualified medical practitioner. If not listed on the written certification, the parent or legal guardian must register with the CCA.
A practitioner of medicine or osteopathy, a physician assistant licensed by the Board of Medicine, or an advanced practice registered nurse jointly licensed by the Board of Medicine and the Board of Nursing can issue written certifications for the use of medical cannabis. Please contact the practitioner of your choice directly to determine if they participate in the medical cannabis program.
Other states or jurisdictions may honor Virginia patient credentials to purchase medical cannabis products within their licensed dispensaries. Each jurisdiction establishes its own regulations regarding visitor purchase allowances. Review the requirements of the jurisdiction you are planning to visit.
It is illegal to consume cannabis in any public place. Virginia code specifies a public place is anywhere the public has access, including but not limited to restaurants, parks, stores, and streets.
