The post This State Could Allow Smokable Forms of Medical Marijuana appeared first on High Times.
Thanks to a decision this week by the West Virginia board that regulates medicinal cannabis in the state, this state could allow smokable forms of medical marijuana, according to reports in local media.
The West Virginia legislature legalized medical marijuana in 2017 and established the Medical Cannabis Advisory Board to recommend policy. The Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) Bureau for Public Health oversees implementation of the law and the state’s medical cannabis program.
The advisory board met Tuesday at the University of Charleston and heard recommendations from three different subgroups. The subgroups have been working to address concerns from the medical cannabis community about the new law.
The law bans smoking medical marijuana, a provision criticised by cannabis advocates. One of the subgroups was charged with determining whether flower, leaf and other dry plant forms of marijuana should be allowed.
The subgroup, chaired by Dr. Michelle Easton, decided that these cured plant types of cannabis should be permitted for use in vaporizers. The board agreed, but left in place the prohibition against smoking.
But Who’s to Know?
Dr. Rahul Gupta, the commissioner for DHHR’s bureau for public health and state health officer, acknowledged that once someone has these forms of cannabis, it’s really up to them what happens next.
“People can combust [it] themselves if they want, but that’s not what we’re advocating or recommending,” said Dr. Gupta.
That group also recommended rescheduling cannabis in the state from Schedule 1 to Schedule 4. The board postponed approval of that recommendation until it can obtain more information on the legal ramifications of the proposal.
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