The Senate Committee on Health and Human Resources discussed one bill this morning.
Senate Bill 386 would create the West Virginia Medical Cannabis Act. This bill would set up a cannabis commission in DHHR. There would be an application process, ongoing evaluations, conditions needing to be met for the use of cannabis, and a referral process. There would be a criminal background check and registration process for the growers as well. The bill is also set up to be diverse in geography and minority owned businesses. There is a penalty for violation of the bill of 5 years and $10,000. There is also a proposed substitute with technical changes.
Senator Clements (R-Wetzel) asked, “Are there records that will be kept on who is prescribing this?”
Council confirmed that there would be.
Senator Maroney (R-Marshall) said, “I’ve never really given a lot of thought to this but this definitely helps people with certain diseases. I’m glad we are talking about it.”
Senator Stollings (D-Boone) moved to amend the bill to mandate that the recommendations are reported to the board of pharmacy. The amendment was adopted.
Senator Stollings also moved to amend the bill so that ten percent of the contracts awarded through the commission would go to the Veteran’s Agriculture Program. The amendment was adopted.
Senator Karnes (R-Upshur) moved that those with the prescription can grow their own two plants for personal use instead of going to a dispensary in order to keep the price down. The amendment was adopted.
Senator Maroney said, “I personally can’t support the bill as written but I can support the concept. The bill is too broad. I also don’t know what it would mean if we legalize this in the state but not federally.”
The bill was reported to the Committee on the Judiciary with the recommendation that it pass with a vote of 6 yeas and 5 nays.
