Starting July 1st, the only document you will need in order to shop in a Virginia dispensary is the certificate from Athena Heals. Gov Youngkin has signed a law that eliminates the need for the state registration card beginning July 1st. This means that the certificate from Athena is your "medical card". If you wish to use an out-of-state dispensary, however, it is recommended that you go ahead and obtain the state registration card from the Board of Pharmacy. By the way, anyone who decides to apply for the registration card after July 1st will receive a paper card from the Board rather than the email they were using before.

We made a special discount just for folks like you! It's called the Annual Renewal - New to Athena, for $65. Normally a certificate costs $90 for new patients and $50 for them to renew it each year. You don't need the same level of instruction they do, but we still have to put in some extra work to create a new chart for you. We figure this is a good compromise. Starting next year you'll also qualify for the $50 renewal. Click here to schedule an appointment.

To qualify for a medical card, you need the following 1) to be at least 18 years old 2) to be a Virginia resident 3) to have a condition that we believe will benefit from cannabis (many conditions do!) and 4) to have tried some sort of traditional treatment in the past (medication, surgery, counseling, physical therapy, acupuncture, chiropractics, etc). If you aren't sure you will qualify, you can still meet with Athena to discuss it. The consultation/exam is free. You only ever pay for the certificate.

No, any government issued ID will do to prove your identity. If your ID does not show your current Virginia address, you will need an additional document that proves your residency. A tax receipt, mortgage/apartment statement, or utility bill with your name and address will all work.

Athena Baldwin, MS, PA-C, graduated in 2005 with a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Baylor College of Medicine. She has spent the last 15+ years working as a Physician Assistant in fields as varied as neurosurgical critical care, primary care, and emergency medicine. She also has 10 years of research experience, including work in neurobehavioral studies at the National Institutes of Health.

When you make your appointment, you will receive a confirmation email titled "Thanks for booking!" that will assign you a Zoom link for our meeting. The email will say "Video conference: Join Zoom Meeting". When you click on the words Join Zoom Meeting, it will automatically open up your Zoom app if you have it. If you don't have the app, it will take you to where you need to go to download the app. When it's time for our appointment, click on the link again. It will take you to what is called a waiting room in Zoom. Wait there until Athena pulls you into the video conference.

Please do not attempt to host the meeting. Athena will be the host. If you have a different video app you prefer to use (like FaceTime), please let Athena know me@athenaheals.org and she'll be happy to accommodate you. For questions, please call (703) 454-5846.

Yes, the certificate expires one year from the date of your appointment. The state registration card also expires after a year, but it is independent of the certificate expiration date. We recommend you schedule your renewal about 1 week before the certificate is due to expire. It costs $50 to renew the certificate. The state always charges $50 for the registration card, whether it's the first time or for a renewal. Keep in mind, if you are only using the registration card for DC, you do not need to renew it. For questions, please call (703) 454-5846.

You will receive an invoice by email that you may pay right away or wait until you get a chance to meet and talk to Athena. We prefer credit card payments, but cash or cashiers check are also options if you live near Alexandria (you would need to make arrangements directly with Athena for that). We do not accept personal checks. Pinwheel is the name of the company that secures your credit card online - this is why it says Pinwheel on the payment page. The charge and receipt will only say Athena Heals and will not mention the plant's name anywhere. For questions, please call (703) 454-5846.

We learned that some places charge you for the exam then surprise you with an additional fee for the certificate! The only thing we charge you for is the certificate. Your exam and consultation are free. You only pay if you decide you want to follow through and get the certificate. The full service initial certification is $90 ($125 for special needs patients). There is a $10 discount off of the full service initial certification for veterans and people on medicaid or medicare. We offer a 50% discount off of the full service initial certification for patients on hospice care. This option is just the certificate without the full service instructions and assistance. A full list of prices is on the Services page here. Keep in mind, if you decide you want to purchase the optional registration card from the state, the state will charge you $50. But this card is no longer required in Virginia.

If you decide you want to purchase the optional registration card from the state, the state will charge you $50. But this card is no longer required in Virginia.

Unfortunately not, however we do offer a $10 discount for initial certifications for medicaid and medicare patients. Flex cards are similar, however, the bill only mentions the company name. It would be up to your insurance company to investigate which service you purchased.

Check your spam/junk folders. If you still don't see the invitation email & link, contact us at me@athenaheals.org.

Yes, this is a card / certification that allows you to legally purchase that "Much Maligned Jewel" of a plant that has so many healing properties. By the way, what people call the medical "card" in Virginia has changed. After July 1st, the new laws say that the only thing you need to be able to purchase MJ is the certificate from Athena. So the certificate (which is actually on "letter" sized "paper") is now what we call your medical "card". To make things even more confusing, you don't even need paper. It's all electronic 😅 Do not worry, we will carefully guide you through the application and approval process, while being as transparent as possible with you.