Cannabis in Virginia

Adult-use cannabis was legalized through legislation in April 2021. The law took effect on July 2, 2021.

In 2015, the state passed a law allowing legalized high-CBD (at least 5 milligrams of cannabidiol or THC-A) and low-THC (no more than 10 milligrams) formulations for intractable epilepsy patients. In 2018, the law expanded allowing doctors to recommend low-THC, high-CBD formulations for any condition.

Overview of Key Virginia Cannabis Laws

Is medical cannabis allowed? Limited to high-CBD (at least 5 milligrams of cannabidiol or THC-A), low-THC (no more than 10 milligrams) in formulations typically dispensed by pharmacies, including: oils, creams, gels, tinctures, capsules, tablets, sprays, lozenges, patches, troches, suppositories, and lollipops.

Is adult-use cannabis allowed? Yes

Personal Laws

Cannabis has not been decriminalized in Virginia. Possession of 1 oz. or less allowed.

Personal Possession

Overall Possession: up to 1 oz.

Registered Medical Patient Possession: Up to a 90-day supply

Personal Growing

Personal growing of up to four plants at a person’s primary residence is allowed in Virginia.

Medical Cannabis Patient Qualification and Registry

Patients in Virginia can only access high-CBD, low-THC cannabis formulations if they receive a written certification from a Virginia-licensed and Board of Pharmacy-registered practitioner of medicine or osteopathy, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner. Patients and caregivers (only a parent or legal guardian can be a caregiver) must also register with the Board of Pharmacy.

Qualifying medical conditions include:

Any condition or disease that a qualifying practitioner determines will benefit from the use of high-CBD, low-THC formulations

Business Laws

Adult-use laws have not been defined yet.

For the medical cannabis market, the state of Virginia allows vertical integration where license holders may control multiple operations across the state’s cannabis supply chain. Residency is not required.

There are three vertically integrated and licensed “pharmaceutical processors” in Virginia that can operate as cultivator, processor, and dispensary. These licenses are distributed across the state with one allocated to each of Virginia’s five health regions.

License Types

Adult-use license types have not been defined yet. Medical license types include:

Pharmaceutical Processor

License Fees

Adult-use license fees have not been defined yet. Medical license fess include:

Pharmacy Processor License: $10,000 application fee and $60,000 license fee

License Timeline

Adult-use sales are not expected to begin before July 2024, so licenses should be available before that time.

For the medical cannabis market, the Virginia Board of Pharmacy has the authority to issue up to five pharmaceutical processor licenses. The application period was held in 2018 and pharmaceutical processor locations are expected to begin selling to patients in spring/summer 2020. The state is not currently accepting license applications.

Testing

Testing is required in Virginia.

Training

There is no required training for cannabis industry business owners or workers in Virginia.

Learn More about Cannabis in Virginia and How to Work or Start a Business in the Cannabis Industry

Leafy Green Agency offers a variety of certification seminars for people who want to start businesses, find jobs, get promotions, or invest in the cannabis industry across the country. Follow the link to learn more about our educational seminars.

Sources and More Information

Data current as of 7/23/21.