Cannabis Flower Now Available to Virginia Patients

Cannabis flower is now available to Virginia patients who can purchase up to four ounces per month, WRIC reports. The new rules took effect September 1. Prior to the reforms, Virginia patients could only access products manufactured from the oils of the plant.

Raymond Hernandez, Columbia Care Virginia pharmacist in charge and market director, called the day a “major milestone” for Virginia medical cannabis patients.

“A lot of the products we do make by extracting the oil of the plant, are highly effective but you do lose some of those minor cannabinoids and terpenes … This is a big day for all of us in the Commonwealth but most importantly for the medical patients who have been asking for this and seeking this form of medication.”—Hernandez to WRIC

The Virginia Board of Pharmacy reviewed the first whole flower cannabis batch at Colombia Care and gLeaf Medical with the companies receiving full approval within the last 48 hours.

Earlier this year, Virginia lawmakers approved broad cannabis legalization reforms—making it the first state in the South to approve adult-use cannabis laws. While the legalization law took effect on July 1, adult-use cannabis sales are not expected until sometime in 2023. Currently, cannabis home grows are defelonized but not necessarily legal as that part of the legalization bill will take effect in 2023. Currently, cannabis possession of up to one ounce of flower is allowed for adults 21-and-older and cannabis sharing and consumption is legal in private spaces.

The reforms have led to a 90% reduction in cannabis-related arrests in the Richmond area and surrounding counties.