Virginia Senators Move Forward on Bill Allowing Medical Marijuana Use in Hospitals

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Virginia lawmakers have approved a bill, House Bill 75, that would allow terminally ill patients to utilize medical marijuana while staying in hospitals, marking another important step forward for patient care in the state.

The bill was unanimously approved by a Virginia Senate committee, showing strong support from lawmakers. However, it is not yet law; before it can become law, it still must pass the full Senate, be approved by the House of Delegates, and be signed by the governor. Even if that happens, the bill would only take effect if marijuana is rescheduled at the federal level, because hospitals that receive federal funding cannot legally allow marijuana while it remains a Schedule I substance.

What the Bill Changes

Under current Virginia law, registered patients can use medical marijuana in certain healthcare settings, such as nursing homes and hospice facilities. However, hospitals are not included, meaning medical marijuana patients must stop using their medicine if they are admitted.

This newly approved bill would add hospitals to the list of permitted facilities, allowing registered medical marijuana patients to continue using their medicine during a hospital stay. It is important to note that access is still limited to patients with serious medical conditions or end-of-life care, and hospitals must manage their use according to patient safety and policy.

Why Federal Rescheduling Matters

House Bill 75 includes an important condition: it would only take effect if the federal government officially reschedules marijuana.

Currently, marijuana is classified as a Schedule I substance under federal law, which creates legal and regulatory challenges for hospitals that receive federal funding. However, since President Trump signed an executive order to reschedule marijuana, the federal government has already begun the process of moving marijuana to a Schedule III substance, which would recognize accepted medical use.

Once the bill is fully passed and signed into law, and federal rescheduling is finalized, it would allow hospitals to legally permit medical marijuana use for registered patients without risking federal penalties.

How This Would Help Virginia Patients

Once House Bill 75 is fully passed, it could help terminally ill medical marijuana patients avoid having to stop treatment when they are in the hospital.

Right now, many patients who legally use medical marijuana must stop using it during a hospital stay. This bill would give hospitals the option to allow continued use for registered marijuana patients, when appropriate.

Supporters say the goal is to treat medical marijuana more like other doctor-recommended treatments. However, the bill does not require hospitals to allow it; each hospital would still set its own rules and could decide whether or not to permit registered patients to use medical marijuana during their stay.

What Happens Next

After committee approval, the bill must still:

• Pass the full Virginia Senate

• Be approved by the House of Delegates

• Be signed by the governor

While those steps remain, the unanimous committee vote shows strong momentum and growing agreement that medical marijuana access should extend to hospitals.

What This Means for Virginia Medical Marijuana Patients

This bill reflects a broader shift in how Virginia views marijuana use. Expanding access to hospitals shows recognition that marijuana is a legitimate part of medical treatment, not something patients should be forced to give up, especially in such a critical stage of their life.

As Virginia continues to modernize its medical marijuana laws, patients should stay informed and ensure they have an active marijuana card to access legal treatment options as protections expand.

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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