West Virginia [WV] Governor Signs Medical Marijuana Into Law

Gov. Jim Justice has signed a bill that makes West Virginia the 29th state to allow the use of marijuana for certain medical conditions.
Justice signed the bill Wednesday at the state Capitol in Charleston.

The law lets doctors prescribe cannabis for patients who are terminally ill or who have seizures, cancer, chronic pain, post-traumatic stress disorder, AIDS and other specified conditions. It will license plant growers, processors and dispensaries for cannabis in pills, oils, topical gels, liquids and a form that can be vaporized.

The state Bureau of Public Health will oversee implementation of the law. Patient identification cards could be issued starting in July 2019.

The law doesn’t authorize the sale of cannabis for smoking and patients can’t grow their own plants.

Members of the House of Delegate were able to skip the committee process and bypass the leadership to move Senate Bill 386 to the floor.

The bill is also known as “The West Virginia Medical Cannabis Act.” It would create a State Cannabis Commission responsible for coming up with rules and regulations for patients who qualify.

A second reading of the bill is scheduled for Friday, and a vote could come as early as Saturday.

credit:wvalways.com