What Conditions Qualify for Medical Marijuana Card in Virginia (2024)

How Many Medical Conditions Qualify for Medical Marijuana Treatment in West Virginia?

West Virginia approves 15 qualifying medical conditions for medical marijuana treatment.

Qualifying Conditions for Medical Card in West Virginia 2024

In West Virginia, eligible patients can obtain MMJ cards if they have one or more of these listed qualifying medical conditions:

• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
• Cancer
• Crohn’s Disease
• Damage to the spinal cord nervous tissue that causes intractable spasticity
• Epilepsy
• HIV+/AIDS
• Huntington’s Disease
• Intractable Seizures
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Neuropathies
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Severe, chronic, or intractable pain whether caused by a neuropathy or not
• Sickle Cell Anaemia
• Terminal illness with a life expectancy of one year or less

Does West Virginia Add New Qualifying Conditions to its Medical Marijuana Program?

Yes. West Virginia accepts petitions from its residents to expand its list of qualifying medical conditions. Any resident can petition the state's Office of Medical Cannabis (OMC) to add a new qualifying condition. Such petitions are reviewed by the Medical Cannabis Advisory Board (MCAB). The MCAB then submits their recommendations to approve or deny petitions to the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources.

Does West Virginia Allow Physicians to Recommend Medical Cannabis for Non-Qualifying Conditions?

No. Physicians in West Virginia cannot provide recommendations for medical conditions that are not recognised on the state’s list of qualifying conditions even if such illnesses are debilitating.

Do You Need a Doctor’s Recommendation for Medical Marijuana in West Virginia?

Yes. Patients need to consult registered physicians in West Virginia to confirm if they have one or more of the qualifying conditions for medical marijuana use in the state. An eligible patient must obtain a written certification from a state-licensed physician who has completed a 4-hour medical education course. In West Virginia, a physician must have a bona fide practitioner-patient relationship with the patient they recommend for medical marijuana treatment. A Doctor of Medicine or a Doctor of Osteopathy can recommend medical cannabis in West Virginia.

Who Qualifies for a Medical Marijuana Card in West Virginia?

In West Virginia, eligible patients must have one or more qualifying medical conditions to obtain medical marijuana cards. They must also be residents and aged 18 or older. A minor can apply with the consent of their parent or legal guardian who must serve as a caregiver.

West Virginia also issues medical marijuana cards to visiting qualifying patients. To be eligible for an MMJ card in the state, a visiting patient must be:

• A resident in West Virginia for less than 30 days
• An MMJ cardholder in their state of residence
• Diagnosed with a debilitating condition by a state-licensed healthcare provider in another state or their home state