Determine Qualifying Conditions To Get Marijuana In Virginia

Virginia is among the newest states to allow the use of medical marijuana. The lawmakers fought for residents’ rights to access the natural drug to alleviate their pain in certain conditions. The process of how to get medical marijuana in Virginia is no different from others. Thus, you can quickly get the card if you had a keen interest in marijuana before lawmakers made it legal.

However, you can’t apply the knowledge of marijuana laws from other states. You need to know what is legal and the laws you should follow when using medical marijuana. Also, the list of qualifying conditions differs. Don’t worry if your condition doesn’t currently feature in the list. The lawmakers are working tirelessly to ensure that the list expands to accommodate more patients. 

How to Get Medical Marijuana in Virginia

The process of how to get medical marijuana in Virginia is easy. First, you need to qualify and apply for an MMJ card. The first requirement is you have a medical condition. We will give a list of states in the section below.

Then, it would help if you were an adult above 18 years to apply for an MMJ card. Underage residents need a caregiver or parental consent to get an MMJ card and purchase the drugs. 

Below is the process to acquire MMJ in Virginia. 

Finding a Practitioner

When you suspect you have a qualifying condition, you need to see a licensed practitioner give you approval. Well, sometimes, you may be sure of your situation from a previous diagnosis.

Ensure the MMJ doctor is in Virginia’s Board of Pharmacy register. They are the unique ones that can give you the approval to use MMJ. Check the board pharmacy website to verify the doctor’s license. 

The state is yet to compile an official list of qualifying conditions. Thus, you should always consult a doctor for further advice. The doctors are fair enough, and they will approve your case if it is deserving.

Registering for the MMJ Card

A doctor’s approval helps you open the other stages of getting medical marijuana in Virginia. Online application is the easiest way to go, and the state recommends online applications since it helps in the faster processing of the card. 

Check the state registry before you start applying. You’ll see a listing of elements that you need. Also, there are some laws and regulations you need to follow. The registry will guide you on all the documents you need to prepare. The doctor’s recommendation is just one of the documents you’d need. 

Information Needed to Get an MMJ Card

There are some fields you need to fill in the application process. Be honest as the state checks every detail. Identify, you need to be a permanent resident in Virginia, and also, you should be 18 years and above.

Parents, guardians, and caregivers can apply for an MMJ card for children under 18 years. Thus, a caregiver should be above 21 years. Nevertheless, if you are not the patient, you should not consume or use cannabis products in any way. Thus, ensure you are a responsible adult. 

The details you need to fill in as a patient or caregiver include your name, address, email address, and social security number. Ensure you have all documents to prove the details you filled in are correct. The documents you need include Virginia state ID, SSN card, a utility bill, and the approval letter from an MMJ. 

You’ll need to pay $50 as an application fee. However, the total application fee will depend on the consultation fee that your doctor charges you. Sometimes, you may need some medical tests that may push up the cost of the application.

Once the state approves your case, you’ll get a notification via email. Then, they will send your certification to your address. The certification validity runs for 12 months.              

Where to Get Medical Marijuana  

The certification allows you to access medical marijuana within Virginia state. You can buy your products from your nearest dispensary. There’s a cannabis coalition website that you can use to check the available pharmacies around Virginia. Also, they update whenever a new dispensary opens.

Qualifying Conditions

There’s no official list of qualifying conditions that need MMJ in Virginia. However, MMJ doctors assess your condition before they approve. The severity of the condition and the reaction to conventional medicine determine whether you need MMJ or not. 

The common conditions that doctors allow the use of MMJ in Virginia includes:

• Cancer
• Multiple sclerosis
•  Anorexia
• Cachexia
• Crohn’s disease
• Chronic pain
• Autism
• Anxiety
• Glaucoma
• Hepatitis C
• ALS
• Alzheimer’s disease
• IBD
• PTSD
• Epilepsy
• Fibromyalgia
• Parkinson’s disease
• Huntington’s disease
• Tourette’s syndrome
• Sickle Cell anemia

You don’t need any of these conditions to see an MMJ doctor, and you can approach them with your case for assessment. You may have some symptoms that qualify you to access MMJ even when you don’t have any common conditions for medical cannabis use. 

What you Can Get When You Have a Medical Marijuana Card

Cannabis laws in Virginia started as very strict and restrictive, and it was necessary to test the reception of cannabis use amongst patients. Over the past year, the state has improved the laws so many patients can access Cannabis with ease. 

THC and CBD oils are some products you can get with an MMJ card. Your CBD oil should not contain more than 10mg of THC. 

Other products you can use include creams, gels, tinctures, capsules, and sprays. Cannabis flower is the newest product that lawmakers allowed patients to use. 

You can buy up to a 90-days supply of MMJ products, and all the purchases go to the website. Thus, you can’t access more products than you need to use within a timeframe. 

Advantages of Getting a Medical Marijuana Card

There are tons of advantages you rip from getting an MMJ card. First, you get effective treatment for your condition, and Cannabis helps ease chronic pain and suppress progressive symptoms from chronic ailments. 

With the MMJ card, you can access any MMJ dispensary around Virginia. The dispensaries offer low-risk products for your medical conditions.

The card acts as a shield from the law. No adult should possess or use Cannabis unless they have a legal certification from the state. 

Conclusion

Once you know how to get medical marijuana in Virginia, you can live a higher quality of life even with a life-threatening condition. The card gives you access to some marijuana products without going against the law. However, you should know the laws and regulations that govern the use of Cannabis in Virginia.