18VAC110-60-210. General provisions.
A. A pharmaceutical processor or cannabis dispensing facility shall only sell cannabis products in a child-resistant, secure, and light-resistant container. Upon a written request from the patient, parent, legal guardian, or registered agent, the product may be dispensed in a non-child-resistant container so long as all labeling is maintained with the product.
B. Only a pharmacist may dispense cannabis products to patients, parents, or legal guardians of patients who are minors or vulnerable adults or to a registered agent. A pharmacy technician who meets the requirements of 18VAC110-60-170 C may assist, under the direct supervision of a pharmacist, in the dispensing and selling of cannabis products.
C. The PIC, pharmacist, responsible party, or person who is qualified to provide supervision in accordance with 18VAC110-60-170 on duty shall restrict access to the pharmaceutical processor or cannabis dispensing facility to:
1. A person whose responsibilities necessitate access to the pharmaceutical processor or cannabis dispensing facility and then for only as long as necessary to perform the person's job duties; or
2. A person who is a patient, parent, legal guardian, registered agent, or a companion of the patient, in which case such person shall not be permitted behind the service counter or in other areas where Cannabis plants, extracts, or cannabis products are stored
D. A pharmacist, pharmacy technician, or an employee of the pharmaceutical processor or cannabis dispensing facility who has routine access to confidential patient data and who has signed a patient data confidentiality agreement with the processor or dispensing facility may determine eligibility for access to the processor or facility by verifying through a verification source recognized by the board that the registration of the patient, parent, legal guardian, or registered agent is current.
E. All pharmacists and pharmacy technicians shall at all times while at the pharmaceutical processor or cannabis dispensing facility have their current license or registration available for inspection by the board or the board's agent.
F. While inside the pharmaceutical processor or cannabis dispensing facility, all employees shall wear name tags or similar forms of identification that clearly identify them, including their position at the pharmaceutical processor or cannabis dispensing facility.
G. A pharmaceutical processor or cannabis dispensing facility shall be open for patients, parents, legal guardians, or registered agents to purchase cannabis products for a minimum of 35 hours a week, except as otherwise authorized by the board.
H. A pharmaceutical processor or cannabis dispensing facility that closes the dispensing area during its normal hours of operation shall implement procedures to notify patients, parents, legal guardians, and registered agents of when the pharmaceutical processor or cannabis dispensing facility will resume normal hours of operation. Such procedures may include telephone system messages and conspicuously posted signs. If the cultivation, production, or dispensing area of the pharmaceutical processor or if a cannabis dispensing facility is or will be closed during its normal hours of operation for longer than two business days, the pharmaceutical processor or cannabis dispensing facility shall immediately notify the board.
I. A pharmacist shall counsel patients, parents, legal guardians, and registered agents, if applicable, regarding the use of cannabis products. Such counseling shall include information related to safe techniques for proper use and storage of cannabis products and for disposal of the products in a manner that renders them nonrecoverable.
J. The pharmaceutical processor or cannabis dispensing facility shall establish, implement, and adhere to a written alcohol-free, drug-free, and smoke-free work place policy that shall be available to the board or the board's agent upon request.
Statutory Authority
§ 54.1-3442.6 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 35, Issue 23, eff. August 7, 2019; amended, Virginia Register Volume 37, Issue 1, eff. September 30, 2020; Volume 37, Issue 25, eff. September 1, 2021; Volume 38, Issue 18, eff. May 25, 2022; Volume 39, Issue 24, eff. August 16, 2023.