Virginia expands Medical Marijuana Law

Posted by Sagar Satapathy on March 16, 2018.

Physicians in Virginia will now be able to recommend CBD and THC oils for any medical ailment, if they decide it’s the best course of treatment for patients.

Previously, medical cannabis was only available to Virginia residents suffering from epilepsy.

Gov. Ralph Northam on Friday signed the measures expanding the state’s cannabis oil program. 

The Virginia Senate and House both passed House Bill 1251, also known as #LetDoctorsDecide,  in late February aiming to take effect immediately upon a signature by the governor, whereas most bills do not take effect until July.

“The passage of HB 1251 is an important next step to improving the lives of so many Virginians and sets an important precedent for laws like this across the country,” the legislation’s chief co-patron Delegate Eileen Filler-Corn told Virginia’s News Leader last month, before Governor Northam signed HB 1251 into law.

"Those who suffer from intractable epilepsy have already seen the benefits of cannabidiol oil and how it can improve their quality of life. These bills will allow more Virginians to benefit from cannabidiol oil as well,” she claimed.

According to the new measures, the oils must contain at least 15 percent CBD or THC-A, but can't contain more than five percent THC, the main psychoactive ingredient in marijuana.

The supply of CBD oil or THC-A oil can now be dispensed by a pharmaceutical processor from a 30-day supply to a 90-day supply in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The new law would also provide patients with a signed certificate if they were stopped by law enforcement – to defend their possession of the oil.

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