3VAC10-50-80. Dispensing of cannabis products.
A. A pharmacist in good faith may dispense cannabis products to any patient, parent, legal guardian, or registered agent as indicated on the written certification.
1. Prior to the initial dispensing of cannabis products pursuant to each written certification, the pharmacist or pharmacy technician at the location of the pharmaceutical processor or cannabis dispensing facility shall view in person or by audiovisual means a current photo identification of the patient, parent, legal guardian, or registered agent. The pharmacist or pharmacy technician shall verify in the Virginia Prescription Monitoring Program of the Department of Health Professions or other program recognized by the board that any registrations, if applicable, are current, the written certification has not expired, and the date and quantity of the last dispensing of cannabis products to the patient.
2. A pharmacist or pharmacy technician employed by the pharmaceutical processor or cannabis dispensing facility shall make a paper or electronic copy of the current written certification that provides an exact image of the document that is clearly legible and shall maintain it on site or by electronic means for two years. The pharmaceutical processor and cannabis dispensing facility shall also provide an electronic copy of the written certification to the board.
3. Prior to any subsequent dispensing, the pharmacist or pharmacy technician shall verify that the written certification on file has not expired. An employee or delivery agent shall view a current photo identification and current registration of the patient, parent, legal guardian, or registered agent and shall maintain record of such viewing in accordance with policies and procedures of the pharmaceutical processor or cannabis dispensing facility.
B. A pharmacist may dispense a portion of a patient's 90-day supply of cannabis product. The pharmacist may dispense the remaining portion of the 90-day supply of cannabis products at any time except that no patient, parent, legal guardian, or registered agent shall receive more than a 90-day supply of cannabis products for a patient in a 90-day period from any pharmaceutical processor or cannabis dispensing facility. A pharmaceutical processor or cannabis dispensing facility may dispense more than one cannabis product to a patient at one time. However, no more than four ounces of botanical cannabis shall be dispensed for each 30-day period for which botanical cannabis is dispensed. In determining the appropriate amount of cannabis product to be dispensed to a patient, a pharmacist shall consider all cannabis products dispensed and adjust the amount dispensed accordingly.
C. A dispensing record shall be maintained for three years from the date of dispensing, and the pharmacist or pharmacy technician under the direct supervision of the pharmacist shall affix a label to the container of cannabis product that contains:
1. A serial number assigned to the dispensing of the product;
2. The cannabis product name that was registered with the board pursuant to 3VAC10-50-70 and its strength;
3. The serial number assigned to the product during production;
4. The date of dispensing the cannabis product;
5. The quantity of cannabis products dispensed;
6. A terpenes profile and a list of all active ingredients, including:
a. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC);
b. Tetrahydrocannabinol acid (THC-A);
c. Cannabidiol (CBD); and
d. Cannabidiolic acid (CBDA);
For botanical cannabis products, only the total cannabidiol (CBD) and total tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are required;
7. A pass rating based on the laboratory's microbiological, mycotoxins, heavy metals, residual solvents, pesticide chemical residue analysis, and for botanical cannabis, the water activity and moisture content analysis;
8. The name of the patient;
9. The name of the certifying practitioner;
10. Directions for use as may be included in the practitioner's written certification or otherwise provided by the practitioner;
11. For botanical cannabis, the amount recommended by the practitioner or dispensing pharmacist;
12. The name or initials of the dispensing pharmacist;
13. Name, address, and telephone number of the pharmaceutical processor or cannabis dispensing facility;
14. Any necessary cautionary statement;
15. A prominently printed expiration date based on stability testing; and
16. The pharmaceutical processor's or cannabis dispensing facility's recommended conditions of use and storage that can be read and understood by the ordinary individual.
D. The label shall be exempt from containing the items listed in subdivisions C 6, C 7, and C 15 of this section if the items are included on the batch label as required in 3VAC10-70-20 and are clearly visible to the patient.
E. A pharmaceutical processor shall not label cannabis products as "organic" unless the cannabis plants have been organically grown and the cannabis oil products have been produced, processed, manufactured, and certified to be consistent with organic standards in compliance with 7 CFR Part 205.
F. The cannabis products shall be dispensed in child-resistant packaging, except as provided in 3VAC10-40-20 A. A package shall be deemed child-resistant if it satisfies the standard for "special packaging" as set forth in the Poison Prevention Packaging Act of 1970 Regulations, 16 CFR 1700.1(b)(4).
G. No person except a pharmacist or a pharmacy technician operating under the direct supervision of a pharmacist shall alter, deface, or remove any label so affixed.
H. A pharmacist shall be responsible for verifying the accuracy of the dispensed product in all respects prior to dispensing and shall document that each verification has been performed.
I. A pharmacist shall document a patient's self-assessment of the effects of cannabis products in treating the patient's diagnosed condition or disease or the symptoms thereof.
J. If the authorization for botanical cannabis for a minor is communicated verbally or in writing to the pharmacist at the time of dispensing, the pharmacist shall also document such authorization. A pharmaceutical processor or cannabis dispensing facility shall maintain such documentation in writing or electronically for three years from the date of dispensing and such documentation shall be made available in accordance with regulation.
K. A pharmacist shall exercise professional judgment to determine whether to dispense cannabis products to a patient, parent, legal guardian, or registered agent if the pharmacist suspects that dispensing cannabis products to the patient, parent, legal guardian, or registered agent may have negative health or safety consequences for the patient or the public.
Statutory Authority
§§ 4.1-601, 4.1-604, and 4.1-606 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 40, Issue 11, eff. January 1, 2024.