Why Health Insurance in Virginia Still Doesn’t Cover Medical Marijuana

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Virginia’s medical marijuana program has been operating for several years now, giving patients access to certified physicians, dispensaries, and a wide range of therapeutic marijuana products. But even with the program established, one question continues to come up: “If medical marijuana is legal in Virginia, why won’t my insurance pay for it?”

The answer has less to do with Virginia’s laws and everything to do with the federal system that insurance companies must follow. Here’s what you should know.

Federal Law Prevents Insurance Coverage

Even though Virginia allows medical marijuana use, the federal government still classifies marijuana as a Schedule I controlled substance, placing marijuana in the strictest category alongside substances that are considered to have no accepted medical use.

Insurance companies, whether private or government-backed, operate under federal regulations. Because of marijuana’s Schedule I status, insurers are not legally permitted to cover it, regardless of state laws.

So while Virginia recognizes medical marijuana as a valid treatment option, federal law blocks insurance companies from reimbursing patients for it.

No FDA Approval Means No Insurance Pathway

Another major barrier is the lack of approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Insurance companies rely on FDA-approved medications, which include standardized dosing, manufacturing requirements, safety data, and drug codes used for billing.

Medical marijuana products sold in Virginia are regulated by the state, but they are not FDA-approved. Without FDA approval, insurers cannot list marijuana products on their formularies, assign billing codes, or process claims for them. However, it’s important to understand that the core issue is federal rescheduling, not just the lack of FDA review. Since marijuana is still classified as a Schedule I substance at the federal level, insurers are prohibited by law from covering anything related to it.

This restriction applies not only to the products sold in dispensaries but also to the medical appointments required to obtain a medical marijuana certification. Until federal law changes, insurance companies simply cannot participate in any part of the process.

How This Impacts Virginia Patients

For patients in Virginia, this means all medical marijuana–related costs must be paid out of pocket, including:

• The appointment to obtain a medical marijuana certification

• Follow-up visits or renewals

• Products purchased at Virginia dispensaries

Even patients who rely on insurance for most of their other healthcare needs will not receive coverage for anything related to medical marijuana under current federal law.

Could Insurance Coverage Become Possible?

Discussions about marijuana reform continue at the national level, and President Trump has publicly expressed interest in rescheduling marijuana. If marijuana is moved to a lower schedule, insurers would finally be legally allowed to evaluate it for coverage.

Rescheduling would also open the door for the FDA to regulate and approve marijuana-based products.

Until federal law changes, however, insurance companies must continue to treat medical marijuana differently from other medical treatments, even in states like Virginia with well-established programs.

The Bottom Line for Virginia

Virginia has built a stable, functioning medical marijuana program, giving patients access to safe, regulated products and qualified medical providers. But despite this progress, insurance companies still cannot cover medical marijuana because of federal restrictions.

Marijuana’s Schedule I classification blocks insurers from recognizing it as a reimbursable treatment, and the lack of FDA approval adds another layer of limitation. For now, Virginia patients will need to continue paying out of pocket for their certification appointments and dispensary purchases.

The landscape could change if federal policies shift, especially if marijuana is rescheduled. Until then, the state program offers legal access, but insurance coverage remains out of reach.

Even though insurance coverage is not available, a valid medical marijuana certification is still required for patients to visit Virginia dispensaries. Although recreational use is legal, the state has no retail framework in place, meaning a medical marijuana card is still the only way to access marijuana products legally. Without an active certification, dispensaries cannot legally provide marijuana products, making the certification an essential step for anyone seeking treatment. In Virginia, any symptom or condition may qualify for medical marijuana with a doctor’s approval. 

To help ease the financial burden, we offer discounted appointment rates and ongoing patient support whenever possible. Our goal is to make access to medical marijuana more affordable and to support patients navigating the system.

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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