Reciprocity

Virginia is flanked by five states, making cross-border travel familiar, especially for those in the state’s Northern regions. Consequently, Virginians with medical marijuana cards often ponder if adjacent states honor their cards, giving them legal purchase rights during their travels.
In this article, we’ll delve into the concept of ‘reciprocity’ among neighboring states and even those farther from Virginia:

Do neighboring states, or those even farther away, recognize Virginia’s medical marijuana cards, and if so, what does that imply for Virginians eager to purchase quality cannabis products in other states?

Understanding Reciprocity for Medical Marijuana Patients

To begin with, let’s demystify ‘reciprocity’ in the realm of medical marijuana. Reciprocity refers to a state recognizing the legal statutes of another. In medical marijuana terms, it implies that a person legally eligible to buy medical marijuana in one form can also purchase it in another.

Virginia, however, does not reciprocate. Virginia doesn’t allow cardholders from other states to purchase medical marijuana here.

Nevertheless, many states have some reciprocity, though its nature varies. Some states might reciprocate with specific conditions, some with a medical marijuana program, while others might do so with tight constraints.

States Recognizing Virginia Medical Marijuana Cards in 2025

Several states acknowledge Virginia’s medical marijuana cards. As of February 2021, the District of Columbia permits Virginians with valid cards to shop at DC dispensaries. West Virginia, on the other hand, while not offering full reciprocity, does permit terminally ill out-of-state patients to make purchases.

An intriguing deviation is Hawaii. While not offering traditional reciprocity, it permits non-residents to enroll in their medical marijuana program, with applications of patients with serious ailments typically getting priority.

Additionally, several states far from Virginia offer some reciprocity, albeit with specific conditions. It’s pivotal for Virginians to remember that cannabis regulations are dynamic. Always verify a state’s stipulations before possessing or procuring cannabis within its limits.

States that reciprocate, albeit with certain conditions, include:

• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Maine
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nevada
• New Hampshire (only possession and with strict constraints)
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• Oklahoma
• Rhode Island
• Utah