The fate of HB 3300 is still up in the air as the Senate asks the House to concur on their approved amendments. This bill included provisions to decriminalize possession of cannabis as well as measure to remove personal income tax for citizens. However, the House didn’t want to approve a bill based on theoretical numbers, not actual numbers. Which is how the bill proposed personal income tax would be removed. By “taxing the crap out of” cannabis and funding the state that way. While citizens wait to hear about HB 3300, another Senate Bill saw rejection in the House. This puts another halt to West Virginia cannabis reform measures.

Senate Bill 590

Although medical cannabis was legalized in 2017, the state has yet to fully implement the program. Lawmakers were saying the original bill had several fatal flaws. Right now, they are working towards reforming them as the program slowly implements. Just recently, residents were able to apply for a medical cannabis registration card. But according to the Office of Medical Cannabis, products are still months away. 

In the meantime, the Senate looked to add edibles infused with medical cannabis as appropriate medication under SB 590. However, the edibles cannot be in a shape that may be enticing for children who aren’t prescribed medical cannabis. The banned shapes include human/recognizable characters, animals, and fruit. 

SB 590 passed the Senate and moved to the House. From there it went to the House Health and Human Resources Committee. That happened on March 24. Now, almost 2 weeks later, it has yet to be heard by the committee. There was a motion to have the House Judiciary Committee take over the debate of SB 590. But the House Speaker denied this motion, leaving SB 590 where it was. 

Lawmaker Pushback

Unfortunately, the House Health and Human Resources Committee Chairman, Representative Jeff Pack said, “The Committee on HHR has concluded its work and will not meet again this session.”

With this remark, SB 590 is effectively dead. Now, a few lawmakers are beginning to speak out about how slow the medical cannabis program is rolling out across the state. 

“I think the fact that we don’t have the program up and running already is embarrassing for the state,” Senate Health Committee Chairman Mike Maroney said. “I think we should have had it up and running already.”

With the House constantly fighting against bills approved by the Senate and vice versa, agreements seem like a distant dream. Meanwhile, citizens are waiting until their medical cannabis program finally launches to receive their much needed medication.

As more information develops, we will be sure to update you with the latest. Make sure to check back for more cannabis and hemp related news.