Virginia CBD Program

Updated on April 11, 2019.  Medical content reviewed by Dr. Joseph Rosado, MD, M.B.A, Chief Medical Officer

2019 Update: Virginia has formally passed House Bill 1251, allowing doctors to recommend both CBD and THC-A Oil for any condition that may benefit. Doctors who are registered with the Virginia Board of Pharmacy can now issue a written certification for a patient to possess CBD or THC-A oil pursuant to §18.2-250.1..

Virginia CBD Laws

Medical marijuana in Virginia is no longer limited to an extremely small minority of seriously ill patients, but it is not what would commonly be referred to as a true medicinal cannabis program. Virginia now allows patients suffering from a condition, determined at the discretion of a doctor, to utilize Cannabidiol (CBD) or Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid (THC-A) Oil. A patient may be recommended CBD or THC-A Oil if a physician believes a patient will benefit from it. People suffering from any condition that may benefit from medical marijuana treatment using CBD or THC-A Oil can now purchase and possess this medicine without fear of legal repercussions. The new laws provide an affirmative defense for a patient, parent or legal guardian to possess cannabidiol (CBD) oil or THC-A oil, as defined in §54.1-3408.3 of the Code of Virginia who has been issued a valid written certification from a Board of Pharmacy-registered physician and who maintains a current registration with the Board of Pharmacy.

Information About the Virginia Medical Marijuana Program:

1. Patients must be issued a written certification by a Physician who is registered with and certified by Virginia’s Board of Pharmacy to recommend CBD or THC-A Oil.
   • The physician must maintain a current registration with the Board of Pharmacy.
2. Patients must provide proof of identity using either a statue-issued identification card, an unexpired Driver’s License, or a valid Passport issued by the U.S. Government.
3. Patients must be a resident of Virginia and will need to provide proof of residency.
4. After receiving a recommendation from a Certified Physician, patients must then register with the Department of Health Professions.
   • The initial registration fee is $50 and the annual renewal fee is $50.
   • When registering as a minor patient, the legal parent or guardian of said minor must also be registered. Please click here for more information.
   • Detailed, step-by-step instructions on the registration process can be found
5. Applications will be processed by the Board of Pharmacy within 7-10 business days. Once processed and issued, registration cards will be mailed to the address provided on the application.

Eligible Conditions for CBD and THCA

Currently, any condition a clinician deems to qualify for medical marijuana treatment in Virginia can be treated with CBD or THC-A Oil. Thanks to the provisions outlined in §18.2-250.1  and in §54.1-3408.3, patients with a debilitating medical condition can now pursue medical marijuana treatment after receiving a recommendation from their doctor.

The legislation leaves it in the hands of the healthcare practitioner to decide whether the patient should receive medical marijuana treatments. The only preface is that the marijuana oil must only be used to alleviate the symptoms of a diagnosed disease or condition. As a result, the new Virginia medical marijuana laws offer a broad acceptance policy.

Applying for a Virginia Medical Marijuana Card

The Virginia Board of Pharmacy maintains an online registration portal with applications for all potential participants, including patients and caregivers. Our site will help you register with the Board of Pharmacy and receive a medical marijuana card.

The Potential Start of Safe Access

Virginia’s CBD program offers a freedom that most medical marijuana programs don’t even have — it gives registered doctors the ability to qualify any condition. If Virginia gets a full-fledged medicinal cannabis program, this could mean greater access for patients in the future. Sign up for our newsletter, so you’ll know when that happens.