CHARLESTON — The West Virginia Office of Medical Cannabis, under the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, Bureau for Public Health, will host a public sign-up event for medical cannabis patients from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, September 29 at the Raleigh County DHHR office, located at 407 Neville Street, in Beckley. 

Patients who have already been certified by a registered physician as having an applicable serious medical condition must bring the following items: 

• Completed patient certification form
• Driver’s license, state ID, or passport
• Proof of West Virginia residency, such as a utility bill
• $50 patient ID card application fee, which must be paid by check or money order

Patients who have not already seen a registered physician must bring the following items, in addition to the above:

• At least one piece of medical documentation that shows their diagnosis, such as medical records, a letter from a doctor, or office visit summaries
• Valid photo ID
• Two proofs of West Virginia residency for state registration
• Cash, credit, or debit to pay the $149 physician evaluation fee

Patients who have a household income of 200% of the federal poverty level or less may apply for a waiver of the $50 patient ID card fee at the event. If a waiver is requested, applicants must provide their most recent W2, paystubs within the last 30 days or proof of eligibility for low-income benefits. 

Appointments are strongly encouraged and may be scheduled by calling 304-356-5090. 

To date, OMC has received 3,472 patient applications for medical cannabis. Patients who register early or have already registered will have the term of their patient card extended to the following: 

• Register by September 30, 2021 = card is good for 2 years total (1 year original + 1 year extension) 
• Register after October 1, 2021 = card is good for 1 year total

The Beckley event is OMC’s third patient sign up event. The first took place July 26 in Charleston, with the second on August 25 in Morgantown. The goal of these events is to provide in person assistance to those who have difficulty registering as a patient.

Patient cards are valid only in West Virginia. Registration does not mean medical cannabis products can immediately be obtained. 

The West Virginia Medical Cannabis Act permits West Virginia residents with serious medical conditions to procure medical cannabis for certified medical use in the following forms: pill; oil; topical forms including gels, creams or ointments; a form medically appropriate for administration by vaporization or nebulization; dry leaf or plant form; tincture; liquid; or dermal patch. 

In addition to the Beckley event, eligible West Virginians can register for a medical cannabis patient card at http://medcanwv.org/. A list of physicians registered to certify patients as eligible for the use of medical cannabis is available on the website.