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How to Register for Virginia’s Medical Cannabis Program

November 2021 Update from Board of Pharmacy regarding cards and registrations:

“Due to continuing issues with U.S. Postal Mail delivery across Virginia, the Board of Pharmacy will no longer routinely issue physical medical cannabis registration cards. Once an applicant is approved, they will receive an email and may take this email, in either electronic or printed form, to a medical cannabis dispensary to obtain medical cannabis products. In addition, patients are required to provide photo identification and a valid, non-expired, written certification to the dispensary.

For patients that are renewing a medical cannabis registration card: once the patient has completed the renewal process and paid the renewal fee, they may take their current registration card, even with an expired registration date, to the medical cannabis dispensary to obtain medical cannabis products. The dispensary will utilize the registration card, photo identification, and valid, non-expired written certification to verify online that the patient holds a current active registration as a Registered Patient For Medical Cannabis. If a patient’s registration card becomes damaged, lost, or stolen, they may contact the Board of Pharmacy at [email protected].

If a patient is in need of a physical medical cannabis registration card for a purpose other than use at a dispensary, (employment, etc.), they may request that one be mailed to them by sending an email request to: [email protected].

Questions may be directed to [email protected] or (804) 367-4456.

Renewals

You will not be able to renew your registration until you have received your renewal notification email from Board of Pharmacy. If you need assistance with resetting any passwords, you can contact Board of Pharmacy’s customer call center at 804-367-4444 during normal business hours.

If you do not receive the renewal email, contact [email protected].

Medical Cannabis Registration for Patients, Parents/Legal Guardians

To register with the Board of Pharmacy you will need to apply as a Registered Patient For Cannabis Oil or Registered Parent/Guardian of Cannabis Oil. You must first obtain a valid written certification from a Board of Pharmacy-registered practitioner prior to applying for registration as a patient or parent/guardian to possess medical cannabis products. Find a registered practitioner.

The Department of Health Professions primarily licenses and regulates healthcare practitioners by their profession type. Although you are not seeking a professional license, you may encounter this terminology throughout the registration process. The registration directions below should reduce any confusion and assist you to complete the process accurately.

Step 1: Go to https://www.license.dhp.virginia.gov/apply/ to begin the registration process.

If you have another license issued by a board of the Department of Health Professions, enter your User ID and Password.
If you do not have another type of license, click the “Register a Person” tab in the upper left corner of the screen.
- You will be required to enter your last name and social security number.
- If you are not already in the licensing system, you will be directed to the “Initial Registration” screen.
- Follow the directions for completing the login registration. You will enter a User Id and Password that you will need to complete the patient or parent/guardian registration.
- Once you have completed this step, you can now log in.

Step 2: Once you have logged in you should see the Welcome screen. Select Initial Application from the left menu.

Step 3: On the Application for Licensure screen:

Select Pharmaceutical Processing-Cannabis Oil from the Profession dropdown.
If you are the patient (individual) applying for registration, select Cannabis Oil – Patient from the License Type dropdown.
If you are the parent or legal guardian of the patient who is a minor or incapacitated adult, select Cannabis Oil – Parent/Guardian from the License Typedropdown. Once you have completed this application you must also complete the Registered Patient For Cannabis Oil application for the patient. The primary parent/guardian of the minor or incapacitated adult who resides with the patient must complete this.
Select Initial Application from the Obtained By dropdown
Click the Start Application button.

Step 4: Complete the registration process and pay the fee: $50 for patients; $25 for parent/legal guardian.

Step 5: Please submit copies of the documents listed below. DO NOT SEND ORIGINALS. The preferred method for receipt of the documents is by email. If email is not available, you may fax or mail the documentation to the board at the address below for the application to be considered complete:

A copy of the written certification for cannabis products issued by a registered practitioner;
Proof of residency of the qualifying patient and proof of residency of a parent or legal guardian, if applicable, such as a government-issued identification card or tax receipt;
Proof of identity of the qualifying patient and, if the patient is a minor, proof of identity of the parent or legal guardian in the form of a government-issued identification card;
Proof of the qualifying patient’s age in the form of a birth certification or other government-issued identification.
A valid Virginia Driver’s License will fulfill the requirements for proof of age, identity, and residency.

Step 6: Should any additional information be needed to process the application you will be notified by email. Please ensure that you enter your email address accurately into the application.

Step 7: Please allow 60 business days for processing the registration application. You will receive an email if additional information is needed to process the application or when your application is approved and your registration is active.

Virginia Board of Pharmacy
9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300
Henrico, VA 23233
Fax: (804) 527-4472
Email: [email protected]

Medical Cannabis Registration for Registered Agents

If a patient, or a patient’s parent or legal guardian, has requested that you act as their registered agent to received cannabis oil products for them, you must first register with the Board of Pharmacy. You may only act as a registered agent for two patients at any given time. You will not be allowed to purchase medical cannabis products from a pharmaceutical processor or receive such products by delivery, until you have completed this registration process.

Step 1: Go to https://www.license.dhp.virginia.gov/apply/ to begin the registration process.

If you have another license issued by a board of the Department of Health Professions, enter your User ID and Password.
If you do not have another type of license, click the “Register a Person” tab in the upper left corner of the screen.

You will be required to enter your last name and social security number.
If you are not already in the licensing system, you will be directed to the “Initial Registration” screen.
Follow the directions for completing the log in registration. You will create a User ID and Password that you will use to complete the patient or parent/guardian registration.
Once you have completed this step, you can now log in.

Step 2: Once you have logged in you should see the Welcome screen. Select Initial Application from the left menu.

Step 3: On the Application for Licensure screen:

Select Pharmaceutical Processing from the Profession dropdown.
Select Registered Agent For Cannabis Oil
Select Initial Application from the Obtained By dropdown
Click the Start Application button.

Step 4: Complete the registration process and pay the $25 fee.

Step 5: Scan and email, fax, or mail the following documentation to the board at the address below for the application to be considered complete:

Proof of residency of the agent, such as a government-issued identification card or tax receipt;
Proof of identity of the agent in the form of a government-issued identification card;
Proof of the qualifying agent’s age in the form of a birth certification or other government-issued identification.

Please allow 30 days for processing the registration application. You will receive an email if additional information is needed or when the application is approved. Once approved, the registration card will be mailed to the address of record listed on the application.

Virginia Board of Pharmacy
9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300
Henrico, VA 23233
Fax: (804) 527-4472
Email: [email protected]

Medical Cannabis Registered Practitioner Application

To register with the Board of Pharmacy you will need to apply as a Registered Practitioner for Cannabis Oil using the online application system.

Step 1: Go to https://www.license.dhp.virginia.gov/apply/ and login. You may use the same credentials you use to maintain you MD, DO, PA or NP license. Note: Only a practitioner of medicine or osteopathy, or a physician assistant, licensed by the Board of Medicine, or a nurse practitioner jointly licensed by the Board of Medicine and the Board of Nursing may apply for registration with the Board of Pharmacy.

Step 2: Once you’ve logged in you should see the Welcome screen. Select Initial Application from the left menu.

Step 3: On the Application for Licensure screen:

Select Pharmacy from the Profession dropdown
Select Registered Practitioner for Cannabis Oil from the License Type dropdown
Select Initial Application from the Obtained By dropdown
Click the Start Application button.

Step 4: Complete the registration process and pay the $50 fee. Please allow 30 days for processing the registration application and receiving the email with the link to the written certification.

Find a Registered Practitioner

In order to register for Virginia’s medical cannabis program, patients must first receive a written certification from a registered practitioner. Choose from the options below to begin the certification process.