W.Va. House gives medical marijuana bill first reading

This week the West Virginia Medical Cannabis Act was passed by the state Senate, opening the door for the state's first limited medical marijuana program. If the bill is approved by the House and the governor, Patients with debilitating conditions like chronic pain, seizures, and PTSD could be recommended medical marijuana by a doctor. The National Academies of Sciences has concluded after reviewing 10,000 scientific abstracts that marijuana can be an effective replacement for opioids in treating chronic pain. Lawmakers are concerned about the rampant opioid abuse within West Virginia, and medical marijuana gives patients a safer and less addictive alternative to opioids as well. As one of only 6 states left without any medical marijuana law, West Virginia and it's patients have a lot to gain if the bill can earn the governor's siganture. 

A review of more than 10,000 scientific abstracts released in January by the National Academies of Sciences found “conclusive or substantial evidence” that cannabis is effective in the treatment of chronic pain. A study published this year in International Journal of Drug Policy found marijuana is an effective replacement for opioids to treat severe pain.

“Thousands of seriously ill West Virginians are anxiously waiting for their lawmakers to do the right thing and pass this bill,” Simon said. “They shouldn’t have to suffer or be treated like criminals while patients in 28 other states can legally access medical marijuana.”