Medical Marijuana in Virginia: How the State Program Works (2026 Guide)

• Virginia does not require most patients to obtain a traditional medical marijuana card.
• Patients must receive a written certification from an authorized practitioner.
• The Virginia Cannabis Control Authority (CCA) manages the medical cannabis program.
• Most patients do not need to complete a separate state registration application.
• Certifications are generally valid for up to one year unless a practitioner specifies an earlier expiration.
• Patients can access their certification through the CCA Portal and use it to purchase products from licensed dispensaries.

Follow these simple steps to get a Virginia medical cannabis certification:

Step 1 – Schedule an Appointment With an Authorized Practitioner

The process begins with a consultation with a qualified healthcare provider.

Virginia allows the following professionals to issue medical cannabis certifications:

• Physicians
• Physician Assistants
• Advanced Practice Registered Nurses

The practitioner determines whether the patient has a health condition that may benefit from medical cannabis. Virginia law leaves this decision to the practitioner's professional judgment.

Step 2 – Receive Your Written Certification

If approved, the practitioner issues a written certification.

Since December 2025, certifications have been issued electronically through the CCA Portal rather than using paper forms. Patients receive instructions for accessing their certification online.

Step 3 – Access the CCA Portal

After certification is issued, patients receive emails from the CCA system with instructions for creating and accessing their portal account.

Through the portal, patients can:

• View their certification
• Download certification information
• Access their digital certification
• Manage account information

Step 4 – Visit a Licensed Virginia Dispensary

Once certified, patients may purchase medical cannabis from licensed dispensaries by presenting:

• Their written certification or digital validation
• A valid government-issued photo ID

No separate state-issued patient card is generally required.

For most patients, no.

One of the biggest misconceptions about Virginia's medical cannabis program is that patients must complete a state application after receiving certification.

Current Virginia law does not require most patients to register with the CCA before purchasing medical cannabis. The written certification serves as the primary authorization document.

Virginia does not charge most patients a state registration fee because patient registration is generally no longer required.

Patients typically pay only the practitioner's evaluation fee.

Provider pricing varies, but most certifications in Virginia generally range from approximately $50 to $200, depending on the clinic and appointment type.

If a registered agent must separately register under specific circumstances, the CCA currently lists a $25 registration fee and a $25 annual renewal fee.

Virginia’s medical cannabis program offers a relatively fast process for eligible patients.

Practitioner Approval

Many patients receive a certification immediately following their evaluation if approved by the practitioner.

State Processing

Virginia generally does not require separate state registration. Once the practitioner issues the certification through the CCA Portal, patients can visit a licensed dispensary. Processing time depends on appointment availability and the practitioner.

A certification is generally valid for up to one year unless the practitioner specifies a shorter period. Patients must obtain a new certification before expiration to maintain uninterrupted access to medical cannabis.

Licensed dispensaries may offer:

• Cannabis flower
• Vaporizable products
• Oils
• Tinctures
• Capsules
• Edibles
• Topicals

Availability varies by dispensary location.