Virginia issues a written certification for medical marijuana patients, not a mandatory card. Since July 1, 2022, the law changed so patients only need a certification from a licensed practitioner plus a valid ID to purchase cannabis at dispensaries. This is issued in 24 to 48 hours. Once you receive it you can go to the shop. A physical card is optional.
If you choose to apply for the optional Virginia medical marijuana card, it usually takes about 7–10 business days to receive approval once your application is complete, and then another 1–2 weeks for the physical card to arrive by mail.