New Virginia Marijuana Patient Protections: What You Need to Know

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Virginia lawmakers recently approved new measures aimed at strengthening protections for marijuana users. These changes focus on protecting parents and addressing past convictions, continuing to shape the future of marijuana policy in the Commonwealth. For medical marijuana patients, these updates are important.

Protecting Parents Who Use Marijuana

One of the most significant updates involves parental rights. The Virginia House of Delegates passed a bill that protects parents from losing custody or visitation rights solely because they legally use marijuana.

Under this proposal, lawful marijuana use alone cannot be considered child abuse or neglect. Courts and child welfare agencies must look at actual evidence of harm or risk to a child. In other words, simply testing positive for marijuana during a drug test or admitting lawful use is not enough to remove a child from a parent’s custody.

This protection is especially important for medical marijuana patients who rely on marijuana to manage serious health conditions. The new language makes it clear that responsible, legal use should not automatically be treated as a sign of unfitness.

However, it is important to understand that if there is clear evidence that marijuana use directly endangers a child, courts can still take action. The law is designed to prevent automatic penalties, not to shield unsafe behavior.

Continued Movement Toward Legal Sales

In addition to parental protections, Virginia lawmakers have approved legislation that would move the state closer to allowing regulated adult-use marijuana sales. While possession and limited home cultivation are already legal in Virginia, retail sales have not yet launched.

The newly approved legislation outlines a framework for a regulated market. If implemented, licensed businesses would be allowed to grow, process, and sell marijuana to adults. However, even with legislative approval, retail sales would not begin immediately. The proposal still depends on executive action and further implementation steps before it can move forward.

If ultimately enacted and implemented, a regulated market would likely take many months to launch, meaning sales would not begin until later in the year at the earliest. For now, adult-use retail marijuana remains unavailable in Virginia.

Relief for People With Past Marijuana Convictions

Another bill focuses on resentencing. Lawmakers approved measures that would allow certain individuals with past marijuana convictions to petition the court for resentencing or reduced penalties.

Before legalization, many Virginians were convicted of marijuana-related offenses that are no longer illegal. The resentencing provisions are intended to address this imbalance by giving eligible individuals an opportunity to have penalties reduced or reconsidered.

This step reflects a broader effort to correct the long-term consequences of previous marijuana laws.

Why These Changes Matter for Patients

For medical marijuana patients, these updates bring greater peace of mind. Patients often worry about how marijuana use could affect family court decisions or other legal matters. The new parental protection bill makes it clear that lawful use alone should not threaten custody rights.

Resentencing efforts also signal that Virginia lawmakers are continuing to refine and improve marijuana policy.

Together, these measures show that Virginia is not only maintaining legalization but strengthening protections around it.

The Bottom Line

Virginia is taking steps to protect the rights of people who use marijuana legally. Parents are gaining clearer safeguards against losing custody based solely on lawful use, and individuals with past marijuana convictions may have opportunities to petition the court for resentencing or reduced penalties.

As marijuana policy continues to evolve in Virginia, patients and adult users should stay informed about new developments. These recent changes demonstrate that the Commonwealth is working to balance access, fairness, and public safety while expanding legal protections.

Get Your Medical Marijuana Card Today

Lucky for you, medical marijuana is already available in Virginia! You can get your medical marijuana card and access dispensaries today! 

Recreational marijuana is legal in Virginia, but it does not mean much since there are no recreational dispensaries to purchase products from.

If you don’t already have your card, no worries. We can help! If you think you could benefit from medical marijuana, there is a good chance you would qualify for your medical card in the State of Virginia. There’s no list of qualifying conditions, so anyone with a medical condition could get a medical marijuana card! With telemedicine, it is now easier than ever to get your medical card from the comfort of your own home!

Schedule an evaluation online today, and we’ll make an appointment for you with one of our knowledgeable, compassionate doctors.

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Doctors Who Care.

Relief You Can Trust.

At Virginia Marijuana Card, we’re here to make the process easy and stress-free. Our team is dedicated to helping you unlock the full benefits of Virginia’s medical marijuana program while improving your overall quality of life.

Don’t wait to start feeling better. Call us at (888) 633-5808 or schedule your evaluation today

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