MORGANTOWN – The state Senate on Wednesday approved a bill adding edible medical cannabis to the list of forms that can be dispensed under the state’s medical cannabis program.
SB 590 was sponsored by five Democrats, including Sen. Mike Caputo, D-Marion. It passed 26-8 and heads to the House of Delegates. All the opposition came from Republicans.
The bill adds edible cannabis to the current list: pills, oils, topical, nebulizer or vaporizer (excluding dry leaf), tincture, liquid or dermal patch.
Because of concerns of accidental child ingestion – an issue across the country – the Health Committee added this: “The sale of edible marijuana products including, but not limited to, the distinct shape of a human, animal, or fruit, or any shape that may entice children shall be prohibited.”
Lead sponsor Mike Woelfel, D-Cabell, said he wrote a medical cannabis bill about 10 years ago and it included edibles then. A friend of his is a Vietnam combat veteran with terminal cancer. That friend would like access to edibles to be able to deal with his suppressed appetite.
“I appreciate very much the collaboration,” that got this bill this far, he said.
Despite the clause regarding the enticing of children, Sen. Robert Karnes, opposed the bill because of his fears of child ingestion. He engaged in a somewhat tense exchange with Woefel over this, insisting the clause won’t help. “If its got sugar in it or it tastes like its got sugar in it, it’s enticing to children.”
Majority Leader Tom Takubo, R-Kanawha and a pulmonology specialist, said edibles are a product for adults and they are coming to West Virginia. It’s incumbent upon parents to safeguard their children.
While he opposes smoking marijuana because of its possible effects on the lungs, he said, he sees the medical benefits.
The original medical cannabis bill passed in 2017. Health chair Mike Maroney, R-Marshall, said, “The fact we don’t have the program up and running already is embarrassing for the state.”
Constitutional convention amendment
The Senate also quickly adopted, without the usual speeches of warning, SCR 5 by voice vote.
SCR 5 urges Congress to call an Article V convention of states to consider amendments to the U.S. Constitution “that impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, and limit the terms of office for its officials and for members of Congress.”
On Monday, the Senate adopted HCR 9, which will apply to Congress for an Article V convention just for term limits. No one mentioned that the measures overlap.
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