Living in Pain Is Not Normal and Virginia’s Medical Cannabis Program Knows It

If you live in Virginia and feel like pain is running your life, you’re not alone. Chronic pain is incredibly common—and unfortunately, it’s often dismissed, misunderstood, or under-treated. While many people quietly push through it, data shows just how widespread and life-altering it can be.

Let’s get real: this isn’t just about discomfort. Chronic pain disrupts your ability to work, sleep, socialize, or even get dressed. And here in Virginia, more people are turning to medical cannabis as a safer, more sustainable option for relief. That’s where a Virginia medical marijuana card comes into play—but we’ll get to that. First, let’s take a hard look at the numbers and what they mean for people trying to reclaim their lives from constant pain.

Why Pain Gets Worse as We Get Older

According to CDC data on chronic pain prevalence, age plays a huge role in how many people experience persistent pain. Among adults aged 18–29, about 12.3% report living with chronic pain in the past three months. That number jumps significantly to 36.0% for adults aged 65 and older. And when we narrow in on high-impact chronic pain—the kind that severely limits daily activities—the stats are even more sobering. Just 3.0% of younger adults deal with it, while that rate climbs to 13.5% for older adults.

Translation? Aging bodies aren’t just getting stiff—they’re often carrying a daily burden that conventional medicine doesn’t always solve.

When Gender Changes the Story

Here’s something that rarely gets talked about: women are more likely than men to suffer from chronic pain. And we’re not just talking about cramps or migraines. We’re talking about long-term, disruptive pain conditions that can rob someone of the life they deserve.

As this study on gender and chronic pain explains, part of the difference may be biological (think hormones, reproductive factors), while other explanations point to social experiences—like how boys and girls are taught to express or suppress pain differently from an early age.

And it doesn’t stop at adolescence. Midlife is a critical period when people are expected to juggle careers, caregiving responsibilities, and community obligations. But for many, pain becomes a silent obstacle to all of it. Recognizing how chronic pain hits different demographics isn’t about labeling—it’s about targeting solutions that actually work.

What 50 Million Adults Know Too Well

A 2018 CDC report on pain in America found that over 50 million U.S. adults are living with chronic pain. Out of those, nearly 20 million have high-impact chronic pain—pain that limits one or more major life activities.

And when the body suffers, so does everything else. One-third of people with high-impact pain struggle with basics like getting dressed. We’re not talking about minor aches. We’re talking about the kind of daily torment that reshapes routines, relationships, and mental health.

When Back Pain Becomes the Enemy of Daily Life

If you’ve ever felt like you can’t sit, stand, or lie down without pain, you know exactly what chronic back pain feels like. For Veterans especially, this is a major issue—as many as 40% over the age of 65 report chronic back pain as a regular part of life.

The kicker? Chronic back pain isn’t just “a bad back.” It often leads to missed workdays, isolation, and dependence on short-term fixes like opioids or invasive surgeries. And that’s where medical cannabis has become an appealing option for those looking for relief without the long list of side effects.

When Chronic Pain Wrecks Mental Health

Living with pain 24/7 takes a toll. It doesn’t just stay in the joints, muscles, or nerves—it seeps into your mood, your focus, and your ability to hope for a better day. According to the American Psychiatric Association, chronic pain is strongly associated with mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and even substance use disorders.

Pain disrupts sleep. It fuels stress. And it can create a vicious cycle where the emotional burden makes the physical symptoms feel even worse. That’s one of the reasons why non-pharmaceutical options like medical cannabis are gaining traction—not just for the physical symptoms, but for the mental and emotional fallout too.

No, You Don’t Need a Card—But You Still Need Certification

Let’s clear this up: Yes, Virginia has made big changes to its medical cannabis program. You technically don’t need a physical Virginia medical marijuana card anymore to shop at a dispensary. But—and this is important—you still need a written certification from a registered Virginia healthcare provider.

This certification is what makes you a qualifying patient in the eyes of the law. It’s your official, legal pass to enter dispensaries and purchase medical cannabis products. These “check-ups” that MMJ businesses advertise? They’re how you get certified. So whether or not you carry a physical card in your wallet, you absolutely need that signed approval from a provider.

For a clear breakdown, Virginia’s medical cannabis access guide has all the details.

Why Getting a Virginia Medical Marijuana Card Still Makes Sense

So even though the state technically doesn’t require a plastic ID card anymore, many patients still choose to get one. Why?

1. Convenience: It’s easier to show dispensary staff a card than hunt down a PDF certification on your phone.
2. Proof on the Go: If you ever travel or need to prove your patient status for any reason, a card helps.
3. Peace of Mind: Having a physical card feels more official to many, especially when managing chronic conditions long-term.

Plus, MMJ clinics make the process of certification—and card issuance—quick and relatively affordable.

What This Means for Virginians in Pain

Here’s what it all boils down to: Chronic pain is not just something you should “live with.” It affects millions, grows more common with age, and hits women and older adults particularly hard. It messes with mental health, ruins routines, and steals joy from everyday life.

Virginia has recognized this—and while the laws may seem a little complicated on the surface, they’re set up to help you get legal, regulated access to medical cannabis if you qualify.

So whether you’re a 65-year-old veteran with daily back pain, a 40-year-old woman juggling kids and work while battling nerve pain, or anyone in between—it’s okay to ask for relief that’s tailored to your reality. A Virginia medical marijuana card (or at least the required certification) might just be part of that better plan.

If you’re ready to explore cannabis as an option for your chronic pain management, make sure you connect with qualified professionals who understand both the law and your health needs. And for a trusted source to help you get certified, get in touch with us — your care, your choice, your terms.