Virginia’s medical cannabis industry has been growing in recent years, yet for many patients in rural communities, access to medical dispensaries in rural Virginia remains a challenge. While state law permits the sale of medical marijuana, the number of dispensaries is still limited, leaving many patients with long drives or restricted product choices. Furthermore, some local cannabis advocates argue that Virginia’s system is fundamentally flawed—despite a long history of agriculture and hemp farming, the only company allowed to operate medical dispensaries in Virginia isn’t even a Virginia-based company. This has raised concerns about fairness, accessibility, and the economic impact on local growers.
Who Owns Medical Dispensaries in Rural Virginia?
All medical cannabis dispensaries in Virginia are currently operated by out-of-state companies, with Green Thumb Industries (GTI), a company headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, controlling the RISE dispensary network. This means that while Virginia residents can cultivate cannabis under strict personal use guidelines, they cannot legally sell their products, leaving GTI and its affiliates as the sole providers of medical cannabis in the state.
For some Virginia growers and patients, this exclusivity feels unfair. “Virginia farmers should have been given the first opportunity to participate in this industry,” says a grower based in Southwest Virginia. “Instead, we have to watch an out-of-state corporation control everything, while local cultivators are sidelined.”
This frustration is compounded by high prices and limited product selection at dispensaries, which patients say make medical cannabis less accessible than it should be. Many medical cannabis users in rural areas argue that Virginia should allow local, small-scale growers to contribute to the market, just as they do in states like Colorado and Oregon.
Where to Find Medical Dispensaries in Rural Virginia
Despite these concerns, patients in rural Virginia do have some options for purchasing medical cannabis legally. Below is a list of licensed medical dispensaries in rural Virginia, including their locations and services.
1. RISE Dispensary – Abingdon
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Address: 26864 Watauga Road, Abingdon, VA 24211
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Phone: (276) 644-6400
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Website: RISE Abingdon
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What to Expect: This dispensary serves Southwest Virginia, providing relief for patients in rural Appalachian communities.
2. RISE Dispensary – Salem
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Address: 1634 West Main Street, Salem, VA 24153
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Phone: (540) 380-0420
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Website: RISE Salem
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What to Expect: Located near Roanoke, this dispensary is one of the few options for patients living in surrounding rural counties.
3. RISE Dispensary – Christiansburg
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Address: 1675 Roanoke Street, Christiansburg, VA 24073
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Phone: (540) 251-3350
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Website: RISE Christiansburg
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What to Expect: Serves the New River Valley, including Blacksburg, Radford, and nearby rural areas.
4. RISE Dispensary – Lynchburg
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Address: 1110 Campbell Avenue, Lynchburg, VA 24501
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Phone: (434) 363-3436
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Website: RISE Lynchburg
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What to Expect: A crucial resource for patients in Central Virginia’s rural communities.
5. RISE Dispensary – Danville
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Address: 3716 U.S. Highway 29, Danville, VA 24540
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Phone: (434) 285-1177
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Website: RISE Danville
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What to Expect: The first medical marijuana dispensary in Southside Virginia, serving rural communities in the region. (Cardinal News)
6. gLeaf Medical Cannabis – Colonial Heights
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Address: 401 Southpark Boulevard, Colonial Heights, VA 23834
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Phone: (804) 292-0695
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Website: gLeaf Colonial Heights
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What to Expect: Provides services to patients in South-Central Virginia.
Patient Experience at Virginia’s Rural Dispensaries
Reviews from medical dispensaries in rural Virginia highlight several key takeaways:
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Friendly, knowledgeable staff: Most dispensaries receive positive feedback for their customer service and professionalism.
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Limited product availability: Some locations struggle to keep a wide variety of products in stock, frustrating patients.
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Pricing concerns: Many patients feel that cannabis at dispensaries is too expensive, especially considering the lack of competition.
A review of RISE Christiansburg captures both the positives and negatives: “The staff is always friendly and helpful, but the prices are high, and the selection can be limited.” Similar feedback has been found across other RISE locations in Virginia. (Leafly)
What’s Next for Medical Cannabis in Rural Virginia?
While medical dispensaries in rural Virginia provide essential access for patients, there is significant room for improvement. Advocates continue to push for policy changes that allow local Virginia growers to participate in the legal market, arguing that this would improve competition, lower prices, and increase product availability.
As Virginia’s medical cannabis program evolves, it remains to be seen whether lawmakers will open up the industry to small-scale, local growers. Until then, rural patients must rely on the limited number of dispensaries available.
If you’re a medical cannabis patient in Virginia, what has been your experience with local dispensaries? Let us know in the comments below.