Previous Article: News & Events
Next Article: News & Events

Virginia Cannabis Control Authority to Regulate Medical Cannabis Program

Thursday, December 28th 2023
Virginia

CCA Assumes Regulatory Oversight of Program on January 1, 2024

Richmond – Beginning January 1, 2024, the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority (CCA) will assume regulatory oversight of Virginia’s medical cannabis program. The CCA is working with the Board of Pharmacy, the current medical cannabis regulator, and the program’s stakeholders to ensure the transition is as seamless as possible.

“The CCA is committed to the well-being of medical cannabis patients, and our goal is to ensure they experience minimal disruption during this transition,” said Jeremy Preiss, Acting Head and Chief Officer of Regulatory, Policy, and External Affairs. “We understand medical cannabis can be a vital source of relief for patients experiencing negative health conditions, so we are committed to making medical cannabis accessible to those who need it. In early 2024, the CCA will focus on quickly issuing a Request for Applications to serve as the licensed Pharmaceutical Processor providing medical cannabis in Health Service Area 1, which includes the Shenandoah Valley. This area has been underserved for too long because litigation tied up the operation of the license there for several years. The litigation has concluded, and we will prioritize addressing that gap in the medical cannabis program.”

Those interested in becoming a medical cannabis patient in Virginia must meet the following requirements:

  1. Reside in Virginia;
  2. Be 18 years of age or older;
  3. Hold a valid government-issued ID; and
  4. Be certified, upon examination by a licensed practitioner, as having a medical condition that could benefit from the use of cannabis.

If you meet the above requirements, you can receive a written or electronic certification from a practitioner to obtain medical cannabis. A patient can bring the written or electronic certification to an authorized medical cannabis dispensary, along with a valid government-issued ID, to purchase medical cannabis products. 

For more information on the medical cannabis program, visit cca.virginia.gov/medicalcannabis.  

###