The Office of Medical Cannabis (OMC) is the state agency responsible for issuing MMJ cards in West Virginia. Before applying to the West Virginia medical cannabis program and receiving an MMJ card, a patient must visit an eligible physician to obtain a certification for medical cannabis use. This document is required during the application process. Therefore, a patient must pay for physician consultation leading to obtaining this certification as well as a fee to register in the West Virginia medical cannabis program. Patients can designate caregivers during their registration. Designated caregivers can then apply for medical cannabis cards and agree to background checks.
The OMC maintains a list of approved physicians eligible to recommend medical cannabis use and certify patients in West Virginia. To participate in the state’s medical cannabis program, a physician must be either a doctor of medicine (MD) or doctor of osteopathy (DO) and complete a mandatory 4-hour course. In addition to in-person visits to doctor’s offices, the OMC also allows telehealth consultations with approved practices.
During the consultation, the physician must confirm that the patient seeking certification has one of the qualifying conditions for medical cannabis use in West Virginia. After reviewing the patient’s condition and medical history, the physician can then give them a completed Patient Certification Form. The cost of a physician visit varies by practice, location, and whether the consultation is in-person or via telehealth. Medical cannabis patients in West Virginia may expect to pay $100 - $400 for a consultation for medical cannabis certification.
The OMC charges $50 for a West Virginia medical cannabis patient or caregiver card. The card is valid for 1 year and its renewal cost is also $50. The state grants a fee waiver for a patient or caregiver who can provide proof that their income is no more than 200% of the federal poverty level.