For medical marijuana patients in Virginia's Blue Ridge region, accessing legal marijuana products just became much more convenient. RISE, one of the state's leading dispensary operators, has relocated their Lynchburg facility to a larger, more modern location on Old Forest Road. This move allows them to significantly expand inventory, staffing and patient services as Virginia's medical program continues its steady growth.
The new 6,500 square foot RISE dispensary held its official grand opening on March 15th, marking an exciting milestone for both the company and the Lynchburg community it serves. We'll explore what this expansion means for Virginia's blossoming medical marijuana industry and why moves like this are becoming increasingly necessary statewide.
Surging Patient Numbers & the Need for Expansion
When RISE first opened its initial Lynchburg dispensary on Campbell Avenue back in 2021, it was one of just a handful of facilities operating under Virginia's newly launched medical marijuana program. At the time, demand was relatively modest as the program found its footing.
Fast forward two years, and that small retail space had become completely outgrown. Statewide, Virginia's medical marijuana patient registry has swelled to over 50,000 as of early 2023 - with thousands more joining each month. RISE experienced a similar spike in patients turning to their Lynchburg dispensary to obtain regulated marijuana products.
"We loved our original Lynchburg location, but the patient volumes we were seeing made it very apparent we needed more space," explained Jack Page, RISE's Market President for Virginia. "The new Old Forest Road dispensary gives us over 6 times more square footage to operate, along with improved layouts and amenities for our patients and staff."
With ample room for expanded inventory, additional point-of-sale stations, larger waiting areas and more parking, RISE can now handle higher traffic flows while providing an elevated overall experience.
Growing Product Selection Promotes Better Patient Care
In addition to increasing overall capacity, RISE's new Lynchburg facility is also allowing them to dramatically expand the medical marijuana product selection available to registered Virginia patients.
The state's licensed cultivators and processors have rapidly rolled out a much wider array of cannabinoid formulations, delivery methods, strains and products over the past year. From various types of vape oils and cartridges to edibles, topicals, concentrates and good old-fashioned dried flower, RISE can now stock many more options to meet each patient's specific treatment needs.
"One of the biggest advantages of a larger sales floor is having more space to properly merchandise all of the different medical marijuana items our patients might benefit from," said Page. "With our open product displays and knowledgeable staff, we can help guide people to the precise products and consumption methods best suited for their particular conditions."
RISE has future plans to designate part of the new facility for hosting industry events, doctor seminars and patient education sessions as well. Properly informing the public remains a major priority as Virginia's program expands.
Expansion Enables Elevated Patient Experience
Beyond simply offering more product variety, RISE's new Lynchburg facility has been intentionally designed to provide medical marijuana patients with an enhanced overall experience from start to finish.
Some of the upgraded amenities and conveniences include:
Expanded check-in and waiting areas to alleviate bottlenecks
Additional point-of-sale stations for faster service
Helpful digital merchandising displays and information kiosks
Ample parking and improved traffic flow
Convenient location right off Route 460 bypass
ADA-compliant layout and features
Upgraded security, product storage and back-of-house areas
"Whether you're a current patient or someone just looking into treatment options, we want to make sure your experience at our dispensary is as safe, efficient and hassle-free as possible," Page stated. "From the moment you arrive, we've designed our new space with the highest patient satisfaction and comfort in mind."
RISE has additional plans for continued investments at the new Lynchburg location, including an outdoororden area and expanded patient outreach and community services in the near future.
The Value of Having a Virginia Medical Marijuana Card
For any Virginia resident struggling with one of the approved qualifying medical conditions like cancer, Crohn's disease, PTSD or chronic pain, legally obtaining a state-issued medical marijuana card opens the door to safe, regulated access to marijuana-derived therapies.
Beyond just the obvious freedom from legal penalties, having an active registration provides numerous benefits when purchasing from a licensed dispensary like RISE:
Protection from Criminal Charges - Cardholders are legally allowed to purchase and possess specific amounts of medical marijuana products from state-licensed facilities like RISE.
Product Quality and Consistency - All items sold meet rigorous testing and quality assurance standards overseen by Virginia's Board of Pharmacy compared to unregulated marijuana.
Tax Relief - No paying state sales tax as marijuana products are exempted when purchased legally through the medical program.
Specialized Expertise - Dispensary staff like those at RISE receive extensive training to help guide patients on optimal product selection, dosing and consumption methods.
Expanded Options Over Time - As Virginia's medical program evolves, new products, potencies and formulations will become available to registered patients first before any potential recreational market.
While sometimes pricier than illicit street products, many patients feel the added costs of joining Virginia's medical program are worth it for legal protection, quality assurance and specialized guidance from marijuana experts.
For those suffering debilitating medical conditions where conventional pharmaceuticals have fallen short, having a safe legal source of reliably sourced and properly dosed marijuana therapy can be life-changing.
The Future of Virginia's Medical Marijuana Industry
RISE's new Lynchburg facility exemplifies Virginia's regulated medical marijuana operators' commitment to expanding services and capacity in response to growing consumer demand. Virginia has licensed five companies through the Board of Pharmacy to cultivate, process, and dispense medical marijuana products to authorized patients. As the state awaits the potential legalization of adult-use marijuana, the emphasis is firmly on enhancing the medical program already in place.
Virginia's medical marijuana market is poised for significant advancements, including the introduction of new qualifying conditions such as anorexia and bulimia, which state regulators have recently approved. Additionally, there's proposed legislation that could allow registered patients and caregivers the ability to legally cultivate a limited number of plants for personal medical use. Marijuana operators are also making substantial investments in product innovation, focusing on new formulations, consumption methods, and inventive delivery vehicles that extend beyond traditional inhaled or edible formats.
Moreover, advancements in telehealth and home delivery now enable Virginia's dispensaries to offer online consultations and direct shipping of medical marijuana to patients' homes. As the patient base grows, licensed cultivators and retailers are swiftly increasing production capabilities and workforce to meet the escalating demand.
The move towards ensuring safe access to medical marijuana reflects a mainstream policy stance among Virginia's officials and residents, driven by economic, compassionate, or public health considerations. RISE's state-of-the-art Lynchburg dispensary represents just one aspect of the industry's proactive efforts to build the necessary infrastructure for the future, highlighting a broad commitment to meeting the needs of medical marijuana patients statewide.
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 if you have a qualifying condition.
Recreational marijuana is legal in Virginia, but it does not mean much since there are no recreational dispensaries to purchase products from.
There are also countless benefits to having your medical card in a recreational state! You will save money on taxes and marijuana products and enjoy higher possession and purchase limits if you have your medical card in Virginia!
In order to qualify for your medical marijuana card, you will need to have a condition that would make you eligible. If you aren’t sure if you would qualify, give us a call and we can answer any questions you may have about the process.
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. With telemedicine, it is now easier than ever to get your medical card from the comfort of your own home!
In Virginia, any inhibiting condition could qualify you for your medical card. If you don’t already have it, we can help! Schedule an evaluation online today and we’ll make an appointment for you with one of our knowledgeable, compassionate doctors.
Doctors Who Care.
Relief You Can Trust.
At Virginia Marijuana Card, our mission is helping everyone achieve wellness
safely and conveniently through increased access to MMJ. Our focus on
education, inclusion, and acceptance will reduce the stigma for our patients by
providing equal access to timely information and compassionate care.
Call us at (888) 633-5808, or simply book a medical marijuana evaluation to start getting relief you can trust today!