Obtaining Your VI Medical Cannabis Card
How to get a medical cannabis card in the US Virgin Islands. Qualifying conditions, costs, and what to bring to your appointment.
Updated April 12, 2026
Obtaining Your VI Medical Cannabis Card
You need two things: a certification from a licensed practitioner and a $50 application to the Office of Cannabis Regulation. The practitioner confirms you have a qualifying condition, OCR issues the card.
If you’re 21 or older and just want to buy cannabis when dispensaries open, you don’t actually need a medical card. Act 8680 made adult-use legal territory-wide. But a card gets you higher possession limits and the right to grow at home, so if you have a qualifying condition, it’s worth getting.
What a card gets you that adult-use doesn’t
| Adult-use (21+) | Medical cardholder | |
|---|---|---|
| Flower possession | 2 oz | 4 oz |
| Concentrate | 14 g | 1 oz |
| Products | 1 oz | 2 oz |
| Home grow | No | Up to 6 flowering + 6 immature plants |
| Age | 21+ | 18+ (under 18 with caregiver) |
Who can certify you
Seven types of practitioners can write the certification under Act 8680:
- Medical Doctor (MD)
- Osteopath (DO)
- Naturopath (ND)
- Homeopath (HMD)
- Chiropractor (DC)
- Physician’s Assistant (PA)
- Nurse Practitioner (NP)
You need a practitioner licensed in the US Virgin Islands. See the practitioner directory for providers who certify cannabis patients on your island.
Qualifying conditions
Act 8680 names these conditions specifically:
Cancer, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C, ALS, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, PTSD, traumatic brain injury, arthritis, diabetes, chronic pain, neuropathic pain, autism, opiate use disorder, and hospice care.
It also covers any condition causing cachexia or wasting, severe nausea, seizures, or severe and persistent muscle spasms.
And there’s a catch-all: a practitioner can certify you for any condition where they determine the potential benefits of cannabis outweigh the health risks. If your condition isn’t on the list above, your practitioner can still write the certification.
What it costs
$50 per year for residents. That’s the application fee ceiling set by Act 8680 § 803(b)(6).
If you’re also planning to grow at home, OCR may charge up to $100 per year for a personal cultivation registration.
Residency
To qualify as a resident under Act 8680, you need to have been in the US Virgin Islands for 45 days or more.
If you’re here for less than 45 days, you’re a non-resident. You do not need a medical card to buy cannabis. When dispensaries open, any adult 21+ can purchase by paying a $20 non-resident Cannabis Fee per purchase at the register, plus the 18% sales tax. No card, no pre-registration, no appointment required.
If you hold a valid medical cannabis card from your home state, you can register it with OCR. The USVI recognizes out-of-state cards after registration, which may give you access to patient-tier protections and limits. But it’s not required to make a purchase.
For the full visitor walkthrough, see the tourist guide.
Age
18 years or older for a medical card. If you’re under 18, a parent or legal guardian must register as your Designated Caregiver.
You must be 21 to purchase cannabis at a dispensary as an adult-use consumer.
The process
- Find a practitioner who can certify you. The practitioner directory lists providers by island.
- Get certified. The practitioner evaluates your condition and writes a Medical Cannabis Certification Form.
- Apply to OCR with your certification and the application fee (up to $50).
- OCR issues your medical cannabis card.
The certification is valid for up to two years for residents (six months for non-residents).
What’s next
Dispensaries have not opened yet. OCR is targeting fall 2026 for the first regulated retail sales. Ten conditional dispensary licenses have been awarded across St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John, but none have received Certificates to Operate. When they do, your card will be ready.
See the dispensary directory for your island:
Related guides
- USVI cannabis patient FAQs - possession limits, home growing, caregiver rules, and more
- Cannabis for visitors: tourist guide - what non-residents need to know
- Is weed legal in the USVI? - the full legal picture under Act 8680
- USVI cannabis fees - complete fee schedule for all license types
Frequently asked
- Do I need a medical card to buy cannabis in the USVI?
- No. Adult-use cannabis is legal for anyone 21 or older under Act 8680. A medical card gives you higher possession limits (4 oz flower vs. 2 oz) and access to the patient home-grow program, but it is not required to purchase.
- How much does a USVI medical cannabis card cost?
- Up to $50 per year for residents. Non-residents do not need a card to buy - they pay a $20 non-resident Cannabis Fee per purchase at the dispensary.
- What medical conditions qualify for a card?
- Act 8680 names specific conditions including cancer, PTSD, chronic pain, and others, but also gives practitioners broad discretion to certify any condition where the benefits of cannabis outweigh the health risks.
- Who can certify me for a medical cannabis card?
- Any MD, DO, naturopath, homeopath, chiropractor, physician's assistant, or nurse practitioner licensed in the USVI.
- Can tourists get a medical card in the USVI?
- Tourists do not need a medical card. Adults 21+ can buy cannabis at a dispensary by paying a $20 non-resident fee per purchase. If you hold a valid medical cannabis card from your home state, you can register it with OCR for recognition.