Last verified: March 2026

Virginia Medical Cannabis Program at a Glance

Virginia's medical cannabis program is administered by the Cannabis Control Authority (CCA). Unlike most states, Virginia takes an unusually open approach: there is no list of qualifying conditions and no patient card is required. If a registered practitioner determines cannabis therapy is appropriate for you, you're eligible.

How to Become a Patient

Virginia's medical cannabis enrollment process is among the simplest in the country:

1. Find a registered practitioner. Use the CCA practitioner directory to find a healthcare provider registered to issue cannabis certifications. Many practitioners offer telemedicine consultations, so you don't need to visit in person.
2. Get a written certification. If your practitioner determines cannabis therapy is appropriate for your condition, they will issue a written certification. There is no specific list of qualifying conditions — the decision is at the practitioner's discretion based on your medical situation.
3. Visit a dispensary. Bring your written certification and a valid Virginia ID (or government-issued photo ID) to any of Virginia's 23 dispensaries. No separate patient card or state registration is required.

That's it. Virginia does not require patients to register with the state, obtain a patient card, or pay a registration fee. The certification from your practitioner and a valid ID are all you need.

No Conditions List — What That Means

Most states require patients to have a specific qualifying condition (such as cancer, PTSD, or chronic pain) to access medical cannabis. Virginia is different: the state does not maintain a list of qualifying conditions. Instead, any registered practitioner who determines that cannabis therapy may benefit a patient can issue a certification.

This approach means:

• Patients with conditions not typically covered in other states may qualify in Virginia
• Practitioners have clinical flexibility to recommend cannabis when they believe it is appropriate
• The focus is on the patient-practitioner relationship rather than a bureaucratic checklist

Virginia's 23 Dispensaries

All 23 dispensaries are currently medical-only. Under HB 642, existing medical operators will be eligible to apply for retail conversion licenses (with a $10 million conversion fee) when recreational sales begin in January 2027.

For a full directory, see our Dispensary Directory.

Purchase Limits

• Flower: Up to 4 ounces per 30 days
• Other products: Up to a 90-day supply as determined by the practitioner

Medical Delivery Coming Soon

HB 391, which passed the General Assembly unanimously (139–0), authorizes medical cannabis delivery from dispensaries directly to registered patients. This will be especially valuable for patients with mobility limitations, those in rural areas, and elderly patients who may have difficulty traveling to one of the 23 dispensary locations.

Employment Protections

Virginia law provides certain protections for medical cannabis patients in the employment context:

• Employers generally cannot discriminate against an employee solely for their status as a registered medical cannabis patient
• However, employers may still enforce drug-free workplace policies and prohibit impairment on the job
• Federal employees and contractors, safety-sensitive positions, and positions subject to federal drug testing requirements may face additional restrictions
• Patients should review their employer's specific policies and consult an attorney for situation-specific guidance

Why Keep Medical Status After Retail Opens?

Once recreational sales begin in January 2027, some patients may wonder whether maintaining their medical certification is worthwhile. Based on the HB 642 tax structure, there are clear financial advantages:

Medical patients are exempt from the 6% state excise tax and the optional local cannabis tax, paying only the standard 5.3% sales tax. For patients spending $200/month on cannabis, this could mean savings of $200+ per year compared to recreational purchase prices.

Cannabis Education: Dosing, Safety & Conditions

Our partner site TryCannabis.org provides free, research-backed educational content on medical cannabis topics including:

• Condition-specific guidance for anxiety, chronic pain, insomnia, PTSD, and epilepsy
• Dosing fundamentals and microdosing strategies
• Methods of consumption and how to read lab results
• CBD vs. THC, cannabinoids, and terpenes
• Safety information including drug interactions, cardiovascular risks, and driving impairment

Patient Support Organizations

• Virginia NORML — vanorml.org — patient advocacy, know-your-rights information, legislative tracking
• Nolef Turns — nolefturns.org — expungement services and re-entry support
• Marijuana Justice — marijuanajustice.org — resentencing advocacy and community education

For a comprehensive list, see our Organizations & Advocacy page.

Contacting Patient Services

For questions about the medical cannabis program, practitioner registration, or dispensary access:

• Phone: (804) 873-5865
• Email: medicalcannabis@cca.virginia.gov
• Website: cca.virginia.gov

Virginia's medical cannabis program serves 104,840 patients through 23 dispensaries across 5 Health Service Areas. The program has no qualifying conditions list — certification is at practitioner discretion. No patient card is required.

Virginia Cannabis Control Authority