Medical Marijuana in West Virginia
Senate Bill 386, which the House approved in a 74-24 vote, and the Senate by 28-6 votes, created the Medical Cannabis Act in April 2017. The bill allows West Virginia residents who suffer from a serious medical condition to use cannabis, but the program is not yet operational.
Under the Act, the Bureau may not start issuing the patient and caregiver identification cards necessary to obtain medical cannabis before July 1, 2019.
The West Virginia Medical Cannabis Commission is required to grant a sufficient number of licenses to growers and dispensaries to meet demand by July 1, 2020.
Patients may possess a 30-day supply, but no further information has been specified. Cannabis-infused products in the form of pills, oils, topicals, patches or tinctures are permitted. Smokable forms are prohibited. Cannabis-infused oils or liquids may be vaporized or nebulized.
Home cultivation is not allowed.
Qualifying Conditions
Medical marijuana can be recommended for any of the following medical conditions:
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
- Cancer
- Crohn’s disease
- HIV/AIDS
- Epilepsy
- Huntington’s disease
- Intractable seizures
- Multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Neuropathies (chronic nerve pain)
- Parkinson’s disease
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Severe chronic or intractable pain
- Spinal cord damage
- Sickle cell anemia
- Terminal illness
How to Apply for a Medical Marijuana Card in West Virginia
Patients who are residents of West Virginia and have a serious medical condition as certified by a physician will be able to obtain medical cannabis at approved dispensaries in the state.
Patients under the age of 18 with a serious medical condition may obtain medical cannabis through a caregiver.
To participate in the Medical Cannabis Program, patients must:
- Register with the Bureau for Public Health.
- Obtain a physician’s certification that they suffer from one of the 15 serious medical conditions, as defined in the Act.
- Apply for a medical cannabis ID card and submit the application fee.
The Bureau will communicate with the public as the registration process becomes available.
Renewal Requirements
No information is yet available.
Where You Can Buy It
The Bureau for Public Health will issue permits initially for no more than 30 dispensaries, but none are yet operational.