Criminal Code Sections Related to Medical Cannabis

§ 18.2-251.1. Possession or distribution of marijuana for medical purposes permitted.

A. No person shall be prosecuted under § 18.2-250 or § 18.2-250.1 for the possession of marijuana or tetrahydrocannabinol when that possession occurs pursuant to a valid prescription issued by a medical doctor in the course of his professional practice for treatment of cancer or glaucoma.

B. No medical doctor shall be prosecuted under § 18.2-248 or § 18.2-248.1 for dispensing or distributing marijuana or tetrahydrocannabinol for medical purposes when such action occurs in the course of his professional practice for treatment of cancer or glaucoma.

C. No pharmacist shall be prosecuted under § 18.2-248 to 18.2-248.1 for dispensing or distributing marijuana or tetrahydrocannabinol to any person who holds a valid prescription of a medical doctor for such substance issued in the course of such doctor's professional practice for treatment of cancer or glaucoma.

§ 18.2-251.1:3. Possession or distribution of cannabis oil, or industrial hemp; laboratories; Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services employees.

A. No person employed by an analytical laboratory to retrieve, deliver, or possess cannabis oil or industrial hemp samples from a permitted pharmaceutical processor, a registered industrial hemp grower, a federally licensed hemp producer, or a registered industrial hemp processor for the purpose of performing required testing shall be prosecuted under Chapter 11 (§ 4.1-1100 et seq.) of Title 4.1 or § 18.2-248, 18.2-248.1, 18.2-250, or 18.2-255 for the possession or distribution of cannabis oil or industrial hemp or for storing cannabis oil or industrial hemp for testing purposes in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Board of Pharmacy and the Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

B. No employee of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services shall be prosecuted under § 18.2-247, 18.2-248, 18.2-248.01, 18.2-248.1, or 18.2-250 for the possession or distribution of industrial hemp when possession of industrial hemp is necessary in the performance of his duties.

Code Sections Related to the School Use of Medical Cannabis

§ 18.2-251.1:1. Possession or distribution of cannabis oil; public schools.

No school nurse employed by a local school board, person employed by a local health department who is assigned to the public school pursuant to an agreement between the local health department and the school board, or other person employed by or contracted with a local school board to deliver health-related services shall be prosecuted under Chapter 11 (§ 4.1-1100 et seq.) of Title 4.1 or § 18.2-248, 18.2-248.1, 18.2-250, or 18.2-255 for the possession or distribution of cannabis oil for storing, dispensing, or administering cannabis oil, in accordance with a policy adopted by the local school board, to a student who has been issued a valid written certification for the use of cannabis oil in accordance with § 4.1-1601.

§ 22.1-277. Suspensions and expulsions of students generally.

A. Students may be suspended or expelled from attendance at school for sufficient cause; however, in no cases may sufficient cause for suspensions include only instances of truancy.

B. Except as provided in subsection C or § 22.1-277.07 or 22.1-277.08, no student in preschool through grade three shall be suspended for more than three school days or expelled from attendance at school, unless (i) the offense involves physical harm or credible threat of physical harm to others or (ii) the local school board or the division superintendent or his designee finds that aggravating circumstances exist, as defined by the Department.

C. Any student for whom the division superintendent of the school division in which such student is enrolled has received a report pursuant to § 16.1-305.1 of an adjudication of delinquency or a conviction for an offense listed in subsection G of § 16.1-260 may be suspended or expelled from school attendance pursuant to this article.

D. The authority provided in § 22.1-276.2 for teachers to remove students from their classes in certain instances of disruptive behavior shall not be interpreted to affect the operation of § 22.1-277.04, 22.1-277.05, or 22.1-277.06.

E. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 22.1-277.08, no school board shall be required to suspend or expel any student who holds a valid written certification for the use of cannabis oil issued by a practitioner in accordance with § 4.1-1601 for the possession or use of such oil in accordance with the student's individualized health plan and in compliance with a policy adopted by the school board.

Nursing, Hospice, and Assisted Living Facilities Code Sections Related to Medical Cannabis

§ 32.1-127. (Effective until July 1, 2025) Regulations.

A. The regulations promulgated by the Board to carry out the provisions of this article shall be in substantial conformity to the standards of health, hygiene, sanitation, construction and safety as established and recognized by medical and health care professionals and by specialists in matters of public health and safety, including health and safety standards established under provisions of Title XVIII and Title XIX of the Social Security Act, and to the provisions of Article 2 (§ 32.1-138 et seq.).

B. Such regulations:

26. Shall permit nursing home staff members who are authorized to possess, distribute, or administer medications to residents to store, dispense, or administer cannabis oil to a resident who has been issued a valid written certification for the use of cannabis oil in accordance with § 4.1-1601;

§ 18.2-251.1:2. Possession or distribution of cannabis oil; nursing homes and certified nursing facilities; hospice and hospice facilities; assisted living facilities.

No person employed by a nursing home, hospice, hospice facility, or assisted living facility and authorized to possess, distribute, or administer medications to patients or residents shall be prosecuted under Chapter 11 (§ 4.1-1100 et seq.) of Title 4.1 or § 18.2-248, 18.2-248.1, or 18.2-250 for the possession or distribution of cannabis oil for the purposes of storing, dispensing, or administering cannabis oil to a patient or resident who has been issued a valid written certification for the use of cannabis oil in accordance with § 4.1-1601.

Labor & Employment Code Sections Related to Medical Cannabis

§ 40.1-27.4. Discipline for employee's medicinal use of cannabis oil prohibited.

"Cannabis oil" means the same as that term is defined in § 4.1-1600.

"Employee" means the same as that term is defined in § 40.1-2, except that for the purposes of this section, "employee" does not include any law-enforcement officer, as defined in § 9.1-101.

"Employer" means the same as that term is defined in § 40.1-2, except that for the purposes of this section, "employer" also includes the Commonwealth, any county, city, town, or other political subdivision thereof, and any agency of the Commonwealth or such county, city, town, or political subdivision.

B. No employer shall discharge, discipline, or discriminate against an employee for such employee's lawful use of cannabis oil under the laws of the Commonwealth pursuant to a valid written certification issued by a practitioner for the treatment or to eliminate the symptoms of the employee's diagnosed condition or disease pursuant to § 4.1-1601.

C. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection B, nothing in this section shall (i) restrict an employer's ability to take any adverse employment action for any work impairment caused by the use of cannabis oil or to prohibit possession during work hours, (ii) require an employer to commit any act that would cause the employer to be in violation of federal law or that would result in the loss of a federal contract or federal funding, or (iii) require any defense industrial base sector employer or prospective employer, as defined by the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, to hire or retain any applicant or employee who tests positive for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in excess of 50 ng/ml for a urine test or 10 pg/mg for a hair test.

Code Sections Related to Medical Cannabis Practitioners & Patients

§ 4.1-1600. Definitions.

As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:

"Botanical cannabis" means cannabis that is composed wholly of usable cannabis from the same parts of the same chemovar of cannabis plant.

"Cannabis dispensing facility" means a facility that (i) has obtained a permit from the Board pursuant to § 4.1-1602; (ii) is owned, at least in part, by a pharmaceutical processor; and (iii) dispenses cannabis products produced by a pharmaceutical processor to a patient, his registered agent, or, if such patient is a minor or a vulnerable adult as defined in § 18.2-369, such patient's parent or legal guardian.

"Cannabis oil" means any formulation of processed Cannabis plant extract, which may include industrial hemp extracts, including isolates and distillates, acquired by a pharmaceutical processor pursuant to § 4.1-1602, or a dilution of the resin of the Cannabis plant that contains, except as otherwise provided in this chapter, no more than 10 milligrams of tetrahydrocannabinol per dose. "Cannabis oil" does not include industrial hemp, as defined in § 3.2-4112, that is grown, handled, or processed in compliance with state or federal law, unless it has been grown and processed in the Commonwealth by a registered industrial hemp processor and acquired and formulated by a pharmaceutical processor.

"Cannabis product" means a product that (i) is formulated with cannabis oil or botanical cannabis; (ii) is produced by a pharmaceutical processor and sold by a pharmaceutical processor or cannabis dispensing facility; (iii) is registered with the Board; (iv) contains, except as otherwise provided in this chapter, no more than 10 milligrams of tetrahydrocannabinol per dose; and (v) is compliant with testing requirements.

"Designated caregiver facility" means any hospice or hospice facility licensed pursuant to § 32.1-162.3, or home care organization as defined in § 32.1-162.7 that provides pharmaceutical services or home health services, private provider licensed by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services pursuant to Article 2 (§ 37.2-403 et seq.) of Chapter 4 of Title 37.2, assisted living facility licensed pursuant to § 63.2-1701, or adult day center licensed pursuant to § 63.2-1701.

"Dispense" means the same as that term is defined in § 54.1-3300.

"Pharmaceutical processor" means a facility that (i) has obtained a permit from the Board pursuant to § 4.1-1602 and (ii) cultivates Cannabis plants intended only for the production of cannabis oil, botanical cannabis, and usable cannabis, produces cannabis products, and dispenses cannabis products to a patient pursuant to a written certification, his registered agent, or, if such patient is a minor or a vulnerable adult as defined in § 18.2-369, such patient's parent or legal guardian.

"Pharmacist" means the same as that term is defined in § 54.1-3300.

"Pharmacy intern" means the same as that term is defined in § 54.1-3300.

"Pharmacy technician" means the same as that term is defined in § 54.1-3300.

"Pharmacy technician trainee" means the same as that term is defined in § 54.1-3300.

"Practitioner" means a practitioner of medicine or osteopathy licensed by the Board of Medicine, a physician assistant licensed by the Board of Medicine, or an advanced practice registered nurse jointly licensed by the Boards of Nursing and Medicine.

"Registered agent" means an individual designated by a patient who has been issued a written certification, or, if such patient is a minor or a vulnerable adult as defined in § 18.2-369, designated by such patient's parent or legal guardian, and registered with the Board pursuant to subsection F of § 4.1-1601.

"Usable cannabis" means any cannabis plant material, including seeds, but not (i) resin that has been extracted from any part of the cannabis plant, its seeds, or its resin; (ii) the mature stalks, fiber produced from the stalks, or any other compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of the mature stalks; or (iii) oil or cake made from the seeds of the plant.

§ 4.1-1601. Certification for use of cannabis for treatment.

A. A practitioner in the course of his professional practice may issue a written certification for the use of cannabis products for treatment or to alleviate the symptoms of any diagnosed condition or disease determined by the practitioner to benefit from such use. The practitioner shall use his professional judgment to determine the manner and frequency of patient care and evaluation and may employ the use of telemedicine, provided that the use of telemedicine includes the delivery of patient care through real-time interactive audiovisual technology. No practitioner may issue a written certification while such practitioner is on the premises of a pharmaceutical processor or cannabis dispensing facility. A pharmaceutical processor shall not endorse or promote any practitioner who issues certifications to patients. If a practitioner determines it is consistent with the standard of care to dispense botanical cannabis to a minor, the written certification shall specifically authorize such dispensing. If not specifically included on the initial written certification, authorization for botanical cannabis may be communicated verbally or in writing to the pharmacist at the time of dispensing. A practitioner who issues written certifications shall not directly or indirectly accept, solicit, or receive anything of value from a pharmaceutical processor, cannabis dispensing facility, or any person associated with a pharmaceutical processor, cannabis dispensing facility, or provider of paraphernalia, excluding information on products or educational materials on the benefits and risks of cannabis products.

B. The written certification shall be on a form provided by the Authority. Such written certification shall contain the name, address, and telephone number of the practitioner, the name and address of the patient issued the written certification, the date on which the written certification was made, and the signature or authentic electronic signature of the practitioner. Such written certification issued pursuant to subsection A shall expire one year after its issuance unless the practitioner provides in such written certification an earlier expiration. A written certification shall not be issued to a patient by more than one practitioner during any given time period.

C. No practitioner shall be prosecuted under § 18.2-248 or 18.2-248.1 for the issuance of a certification for the use of cannabis products for the treatment or to alleviate the symptoms of a patient's diagnosed condition or disease pursuant to a written certification issued pursuant to subsection A. Nothing in this section shall preclude a practitioner's professional licensing board from sanctioning the practitioner for failing to properly evaluate or treat a patient's medical condition or otherwise violating the applicable standard of care for evaluating or treating medical conditions.

D. A practitioner who issues a written certification to a patient pursuant to this section (i) shall hold sufficient education and training to exercise appropriate professional judgment in the certification of patients; (ii) shall not offer a discount or any other thing of value to a patient or a patient's parent, guardian, or registered agent that is contingent on or encourages the person's decision to use a particular pharmaceutical processor or cannabis product; (iii) shall not issue a certification to himself or his family members, employees, or coworkers; (iv) shall not provide product samples containing cannabis other than those approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration; and (v) shall not accept compensation from a pharmaceutical processor or cannabis dispensing facility. The Board shall not limit the number of patients to whom a practitioner may issue a written certification. The Board may report information to the applicable licensing board on unusual patterns of certifications issued by a practitioner.

E. No patient shall be required to physically present the written certification after the initial dispensing by any pharmaceutical processor or cannabis dispensing facility under each written certification, provided that the pharmaceutical processor or cannabis dispensing facility maintains an electronic copy of the written certification. Pharmaceutical processors and cannabis dispensing facilities shall electronically transmit on a monthly basis all new written certifications received by the pharmaceutical processor or cannabis dispensing facility to the Authority.

F. A patient, or, if such patient is a minor or a vulnerable adult as defined in § 18.2-369, such patient's parent or legal guardian, may designate an individual to act as his registered agent for the purposes of receiving cannabis products pursuant to a valid written certification. Such designated individual shall register with the Board unless the individual's name listed on the patient's written certification. An individual may, on the basis of medical need and in the discretion of the patient's registered practitioner, be listed on the patient's written certification upon the patient's request. The Board may set a limit on the number of patients for whom any individual is authorized to act as a registered agent.

G. Upon delivery of a cannabis product by a pharmaceutical processor or cannabis dispensing facility to a designated caregiver facility, any employee or contractor of a designated caregiver facility who is licensed or registered by a health regulatory board and who is authorized to possess, distribute, or administer medications may accept delivery of the cannabis product on behalf of a patient or resident for subsequent delivery to the patient or resident and may assist in the administration of the cannabis product to the patient or resident as necessary.

H. Information obtained under the patient certification or agent registration process shall be confidential and shall not be subject to the disclosure provisions of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (§ 2.2-3700 et seq.). However, reasonable access to registry information shall be provided to (i) the Chairmen of the House and Senate Committees for Courts of Justice, (ii) state and federal agencies or local law enforcement for the purpose of investigating or prosecuting a specific individual for a specific violation of law, (iii) licensed practitioners or pharmacists, or their agents, for the purpose of providing patient care and drug therapy management and monitoring of drugs obtained by a patient, (iv) a pharmaceutical processor or cannabis dispensing facility involved in the treatment of a patient, or (v) a patient's registered agent, but only with respect to information related to such patient.

§ 54.1-2903. What constitutes practice; advertising in connection with medical practice.

A. Any person shall be regarded as practicing the healing arts who actually engages in such practice as defined in this chapter, or who opens an office for such purpose, or who advertises or announces to the public in any manner a readiness to practice or who uses in connection with his name the words or letters "Doctor," "Dr.," "M.D.," "D.O.," "D.P.M.," "D.C.," "Healer," "N.P.," or any other title, word, letter or designation intending to designate or imply that he is a practitioner of the healing arts or that he is able to heal, cure or relieve those suffering from any injury, deformity or disease.

Signing a birth or death certificate, or signing any statement certifying that the person so signing has rendered professional service to the sick or injured, or signing or issuing a prescription for drugs or other remedial agents, shall be prima facie evidence that the person signing or issuing such writing is practicing the healing arts within the meaning of this chapter except where persons other than physicians are required to sign birth certificates.

B. No person regulated under this chapter shall use the title "Doctor" or the abbreviation "Dr." in writing or in advertising in connection with his practice unless he simultaneously uses words, initials, an abbreviation or designation, or other language that identifies the type of practice for which he is licensed. No person regulated under this chapter shall include in any advertisement a reference to marijuana, as defined in § 18.2-247, unless such advertisement is for the treatment of addiction or substance abuse. However, nothing in this subsection shall prevent a person from including in any advertisement that such person is registered with the Board of Directors of the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority to issue written certifications for the use of cannabis products, as defined in § 4.1-1600.

§ 54.1-3408.3. Certification for use of cannabis for treatment.

A. As used in this section, "botanical cannabis," "cannabis oil," "cannabis product," and "practitioner" mean the same as those terms are defined in § 4.1-1600.

B. A practitioner in the course of his professional practice may issue a written certification for the use of cannabis products for treatment or to alleviate the symptoms of any diagnosed condition or disease determined by the practitioner to benefit from such use in accordance with the provisions of § 4.1-1601.

Cannabis Control Act Code Sections Related to Medical Cannabis

Chapter 16. Medical Cannabis Program

§ 4.1-1600 Definitions

§ 4.1-1601 Certification for use of cannabis for treatment

§ 4.1-1602 Permit to operate pharmaceutical processor or cannabis dispensing facility

§ 4.1-1603 Dispensing cannabis products; report

§ 4.1-1603.1 Packaging and labeling; corrections; records

§ 4.1-1603.2 Cannabis product registration; approval, deviation, and modification

§ 4.1-1603.3 Advertising and marketing

§ 4.1-1604 Criminal liability; exceptions

§ 4.1-1605 Summary suspensions and restrictions

Medical Cannabis Administrative Code

Agency 10. Virginia Cannabis Control Authority

Preface Agency Summary

Chapter 20 Medical Cannabis Program Fees

Chapter 30 Applications, Licenses, Permits, and Registrations

Chapter 40 Regulated Operations

Chapter 50 Cannabis Products

Chapter 60 Testing of Cannabis Products

Chapter 70 Labeling and Packaging

Chapter 80 Enforcement

Archived: FORMS FORMS (18VAC110-60)