The medical marijuana program passed in West Virginia back in 2017, and since then patients have been eagerly waiting for dispensaries to open and products to be on the shelves.
Now that West Virginia has officially opened its first dispensary as of 2021, patients who have qualified for a West Virginia medical marijuana card can purchase cannabis products in the Mountain State!
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about getting medical marijuana in West Virginia, what products are available, and how to make your first purchase at a dispensary!
What are the Requirements for Getting Medical Marijuana in West Virginia?
Getting medical marijuana in West Virginia is a pretty straightforward process now that dispensaries are open.
In fact, there are really only three requirements for purchasing medical marijuana in West Virginia:
1. Be a West Virginia resident with proof of residency (such as a WV Driver’s License or State ID Card)
2. Be diagnosed with a qualifying condition for medical marijuana in West Virginia.
3. Have an official written certification for medical marijuana from a licensed West Virginia physician
Once you’re officially qualified with your proof of residency, diagnosis, and written certification from a doctor, all that’s left is to register with the state online. They will then issue you a MMJ card, and you’re ready to make your first stop at a dispensary!
If you haven’t qualified for a medical marijuana card yet, we offer the ability to cover all three steps through telehealth so you can receive your medical marijuana card from the comfort of your own home! Schedule an appointment with one of our qualified doctors today and we’ll walk you through every step of the way to get you shopping at West Virginia dispensaries before you know it!
“I’ve Got a Medical Marijuana Card in West Virginia, What’s Next?”
Once you’ve received your official certification for medical marijuana, you’ll probably be ready to start purchasing cannabis products.
In West Virginia, cannabis products must be legally purchased from a licensed state dispensary. You won’t be able to purchase cannabis off the street as that is still considered illegal.
With a medical marijuana card, you’ll have plenty of options once more dispensaries start opening in West Virginia, and Trulieve recently opened the first West Virginia dispensaries in Morgantown and Weston this month!
We expect several more dispensaries to open soon, so be on the lookout for updates on our medical marijuana blog for new dispensaries opening in West Virginia!
How to Shop at a Cannabis Dispensary in West Virginia
If you’ve decided to swing by one of the recently opened dispensaries in Morgantown or Weston, there will be a few things you’ll need to bring with you to legally purchase cannabis.
Before they let you through the golden gates of the dispensary, you’ll likely need to show proof of ID, fill out a short application, and provide them with your medical marijuana card.
They’ll make a copy of your card and ID, and file you into their patient registry so that you can purchase products from them.
Every dispensary has different procedures, so some applications may be longer or shorter, and some dispensaries may only ask for your MMJ card and ID, so check with the specific dispensary you’re visiting to find out what the patient in-processing looks like.
Final Steps to Getting Medical Marijuana in West Virginia
Once you’ve filled out your paperwork and everything’s in order, you’ll probably enter a waiting room right before you enter the bud room.
Most dispensaries have waiting rooms, which helps keep customer experiences intimate and prevents long lines or moving through customers too quickly.
Once you’ve entered the bud room, you’ll likely see all sorts of products, menus, prices, and of course, cannabis flower.
Cannabis flower was recently added as an approved product for West Virginia cultivators, and because this was such a recent decision many dispensaries may not have a vast portfolio of strains just yet, the plants still have to grow you know!
Once a harvest or two is out of the way, most dispensaries will likely carry a large variety of different strains and options to choose from with cannabis flower, and you’ll be able to select any strain you like.
You’ll find that there are many more products than just cannabis flower as well, check out the edibles, tinctures, salves, or topicals - if you can think of it, it probably exists!
Once you’ve talked to your budtender and figured out which products are right for you, all that’s left is to purchase them (which will include taxes!), and you’re done!
Keep in mind that most states require you to keep either the packaging, receipt, or both, in your possession while you’re transporting your cannabis, so be sure to have all the necessary paperwork from the dispensary to prove you are following the law.
Get Your Medical Marijuana Card in West Virginia
Now that dispensaries have opened and cannabis products are available for purchase, West Virginia medical marijuana patients are registering by the hundreds to take advantage of the state’s medical marijuana program.
Take the steps to reserve your appointment today and become a medical marijuana patient in West Virginia.
Being a West Virginia medical marijuana patient allows you the freedom to take your medication the right way for you.
We’re dedicated to helping patients every step of the way, feel free to give us a call at 877-303-8424 and we can answer your questions about getting a medical marijuana card in West Virginia.
Doctors Who Care. Relief You Can Trust.
West Virginia Marijuana Card’s mission is to help everyone achieve wellness safely and conveniently through increased access to medical marijuana. Our focus on education, inclusion, and acceptance will reduce stigma for our patients by providing equal access to timely information and compassionate care.
If you have any questions, call us at 877-303-8424, or simply book
a medical marijuana evaluation to start getting relief you can trust today!
Check out West Virginia Marijuana Card’s Blog to keep up to date on the latest medical marijuana news, tips, and information and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to join the medical marijuana conversation in West Virginia.