Bill > HB4264

This bill, titled the "Compassionate Use Act for Medical Cannabis," establishes a legal framework for the medical use of cannabis in West Virginia. It defines "debilitating medical conditions" for which cannabis can be prescribed, such as cancer, glaucoma, and PTSD, and allows for the addition of new conditions. The act provides protections against arrest, prosecution, and discrimination for registered qualifying patients and their designated caregivers who possess limited amounts of cannabis, and for practitioners who issue written certifications. It mandates the registration of qualifying patients and caregivers, requiring them to obtain registry identification cards, and establishes rules for "compassion centers" (dispensaries) and "safety compliance facilities" (testing labs). The bill also outlines limitations, such as prohibiting use in schools or on public transportation, and sets penalties for violations, including a misdemeanor offense for disclosing certain confidential information. Importantly, it creates an affirmative defense for individuals facing prosecution for medical cannabis use if they can demonstrate a legitimate medical purpose and compliance with the act's provisions.