Medical cannabis is available for qualified patients only at licensed dispensing locations. To be eligible to purchase medical cannabis, you must obtain a written certification from a licensed medical practitioner.
You may register with the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority (CCA), but it is not required. Registration is only required under certain circumstances for parents, legal guardians, and registered agents. For a quick overview on how to become a medical cannabis patient, check out the steps below. If you have more questions, contact medicalcannabis@cca.virginia.gov.
- Who Can Certify Medical Cannabis
- How to Become a Medical Cannabis Patient
- Frequently Asked Questions
Related Information
- CCA Portal
- CCA Portal Help Guide for Patients
- Dispensary Locations
- Contact the Medical Cannabis Program
Downloads
View and download this information as a PDF:
Who Can Certify Medical Cannabis
- Practitioners of Medicine or Osteopathy
- Physician Assistants licensed by the Board of Medicine
- Advanced Practice Registered Nurses jointly licensed by the Board of Medicine and the Board of Nursing
How to Become a Medical Cannabis Patient
Want to become a medical cannabis patient but unsure where to begin? Follow this step-by-step guide to obtain medical cannabis.
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Once you have your certification, you may take it to a licensed dispensary. The dispensary will verify your certification and add your information to its system.
When visiting a new dispensary, you must present a valid written certification, a current government-issued ID, and proof of Virginia residency. If not shown on the ID, Virginia residency can be proven by a document such as a utility bill or lease. The dispensary will scan the barcode on the certification to verify it is valid.
Dispensaries will accept handwritten or electronic certifications.
Although not required by law, patients may still opt to register with the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority if they wish to receive a state medical registration card.
Frequently Asked Questions
The terms “marijuana” and “cannabis” are used interchangeably. Unless otherwise noted, on this website the term “marijuana” means marijuana in any form and stage of growth and includes all products made with marijuana.
Patients, Parents, & Legal Guardians
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For patients with a CCA Portal identification card, the card will contain:
the patient’s full legal name,
the patient’s address,
the patient’s date of birth,
the date of issuance,
the date of expiration,
the qualified medical practitioner’s name, address, phone number and medical license number,
if applicable, the legal name of the patient’s registered agent/parent or legal guardian, and the registered agent/parent or legal guardian’s date of birth,
a barcode
a QR code
If the written certification is in the legacy patient portal, the digital card will have both the barcode for the written certification and registration license. For parents/legal guardians and registered agents, the card will look the same as the patient’s card except the patient’s name and written certification number will be added.
Registered Agents
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Registration is only required under certain circumstances.
At the patient’s request, the practitioner can record the name of the patient’s registered agent on the written certification for medical cannabis, and the registered agent would not be required to obtain registration from the CCA before purchasing or receiving medical cannabis on behalf of the patient.
If the name of the registered agent is not recorded on the patient's written certification, then the registered agent must first register with the CCA prior to picking up or receiving medical cannabis on behalf of no more than two patients. Please see the medical cannabis program page for more information on obtaining registration.
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