Some of the most common conditions that medical cannabis patients seek mmj cards for include:

• Anxiety
• Cancer
• Chronic pain
• Menopause
• Muscle spasms
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Glaucoma
• Epilepsy
• Virginia specifically reports that chemotherapy, seizures, and depression are three additional conditions considered for relief.

Along with having any diagnosable condition, a patient must also prove they are a resident of Virginia with a valid driver’s license or state identification card.

First, book an appointment with a doctor provided by FadeMD to review your ailments and medical condition. Once approved, your FadeMD doctor will register your approval with the Virginia portal on the same day. After registration, you’ll receive an email from the state with a special link to access your Virginia Digital MMJ Card. Once downloaded and saved, you can start purchasing medical cannabis from a dispensary.

As of July 1, 2022, patients only need a written certification and a government-issued ID to obtain medical cannabis products at dispensaries. Those desiring a physical MMJ card can request one from the Board of Pharmacy for a $50 fee.

A Virginia caregiver must be designated by the state-registered patient as an assistant to be considered for approval. Once named, the caregiver must prove they are a resident of Virginia with a valid driver’s license or state identification card.

If the caregiver is applying to help a minor, they must include a copy of the patient’s birth certificate as part of their application.  As a caregiver, you can only be registered to help two patients at a time. You will be charged a registration fee of $25 when applying as a parent or legal guardian to a minor.

Once approved, the caregiver will be allowed to purchase medicinal cannabis for the patient.

To renew your Virginia medical marijuana card through FadeMD, you’ll need to schedule a renewal appointment with one of our physicians. They can confirm that you still need medical cannabis for your qualifying condition and help you with the renewal process. We will remind you when it’s almost time for your renewal appointment, or you can reach out to our Customer Service Department so we can assist you and apply a renewal discount for you.

Unless a shorter period is designated by your physician, your medical marijuana card in Virginia will be valid for one year.

The state allows up to 10 milligrams of THC in a single dose, which can be taken as many times a day as prescribed by a certified physician or medical assistant. Forms of allowable medical cannabis include capsules, sprays, tinctures, lozenges, creams, gels, patches, edibles, and inhalation devices. At present, 4 ounces of botanical cannabis (flower) is permitted per 30 days.

According to Virginia’s state website, home cultivation became legal on July 1, 2021. Adults 21 and over may grow up to four marijuana plants per household for personal use.

Someone who grows plants must:

1. Ensure that no plant is visible from a public way;
2. Take precautions to prevent unauthorized access by persons younger than 21 years of age; and
3. Attach to each plant a legible tag that includes the person’s name, driver’s license or ID number, and a notation that the marijuana plant is being grown for personal use as authorized by law.

The Justice Department proposed a new rule to reclassify marijuana as a Schedule III drug, which would ease federal restrictions on cannabis if approved. This reclassification would not legalize or decriminalize marijuana nationwide but would place it on the same regulatory level as ketamine and anabolic steroids. Currently, marijuana is classified as a Schedule I drug, meaning it has "no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse." The proposed change would recognize marijuana as having "a moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence."

The proposal initiates a months-long comment and administrative period before any changes take effect. This follows President Biden's 2022 request for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Justice Department to review marijuana's classification. HHS found credible scientific evidence supporting marijuana's medical use. The notice of proposed rulemaking reflects the attorney general's agreement with HHS's recommendation. President Biden hailed the move as "monumental," emphasizing marijuana policy as a priority of his administration, which has also worked to pardon those convicted of simple possession.