Medical Marijuana Legal in Virginia (Richmond, Hampton: pharmacies, taxes, law)

[CAVA1990]

Virginian has laws on the books that make it legal for doctors to prescribe and pharmacies to dispense marijuana. Why aren't there dispensaries here similar to those that have opened in California and other Western states?

http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp...2-251.1+702188

[billybobwv]

Originally Posted by CAVA1990

Virginian has laws on the books that make it legal for doctors to prescribe and pharmacies to dispense marijuana. Why aren't there dispensaries here similar to those that have opened in California and other Western states?

Legislative Information System

One big difference between Virginia and the western states like California & Colorado when it comes to medical marijuana....in Virginia such places aren't allowed to advertise in the media such as radio, TV or even in print. Compare that to say Denver where on some of their local radio stations it seems every other commercial is for some place offering medical pot. In other words, the doctor can tell you where to go to get medical marijuana but not Roanoke's K-92FM or Richmond's NBC12 WWBT.

Actually I am kinda surprised Max Media hasn't tried to get Virginia to change that rule since they make a ton of money in Denver from airing such ads..and Max owns many radio stations in Hampton Roads such as WGH-FM 97.3 "the eagle"...one would think Max media would want to make money in Virginia by airing ads for medical pot..but it doesn't seem that they do..at least in Virginia anyway.

[CAVA1990]

But is there really anywhere you can actually get medical pot in VA?

[billybobwv]

Originally Posted by CAVA1990

But is there really anywhere you can actually get medical pot in VA?

Since it is a law on the books, I would imagine there is. My guess, perhaps in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads...but I really don't know.

Despite being a law, it would not at all surprise me if few doctors even know about this while most are assuming that medical pot is illegal in Virginia when in reality..it isn't.

[CAVA1990]

It's interesting that Virginia doesn't even show up on most lists of states that have it. I believe we were the first as it was passed into law in 1979. It would be interesting to determine whether Virginians favor it like they do out west. If so, perhaps it needs to be expanded beyond cancer and glaucoma to cover other infirmities like MS.

[Sandy2cee]

Originally Posted by CAVA1990

It's interesting that Virginia doesn't even show up on most lists of states that have it. I believe we were the first as it was passed into law in 1979. It would be interesting to determine whether Virginians favor it like they do out west. If so, perhaps it needs to be expanded beyond cancer and glaucoma to cover other infirmities like MS.

I have MS and feel they need to do more for us as well!

[pcgeller]

I'll go out on a limb here but the main reason the VA medical marijuana industry is so different than CA is the law itself. VA law explicitly says for treatment of cancer and/or glaucoma. California you can get it prescribed by your Dr. for a reasonable fee.

But if you're trying to start a movement, count me in

Legalization would be a really great thing to happen, esp from a fiscal stand point. Less money spent on enforcing the laws and more money coming in from taxes.

[cb at sea]

I have to agree....you won't see a bunch of pot-heads getting into bar fights! Pot is relaxing...not aggravating! Legalize it, collect taxes on it, and stop wasting our law enforcement dollars trying to stop something that harms no one!

[free2bkati]

there is a med mari. store here in hampton, correct!
too bad drs are tightwads with rx's- only for cancer and MS not any chron pain.

[SLumberPartiesByAmy]

does anyone know if you can get it for the treatment of epilepsy here in va?