West Virginia begins early stages of launching MMJ program

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West Virginia officials say they’re in the “preliminary stage” of developing a plan to implement the state’s new medical marijuana law, including rules that will govern new business owners.

The regulations “will begin with requirements for growers/processors so that those entities can come online and begin to produce products,” a spokeswoman for the Department of Health and Human Resources told the Charleston Gazette-Mail. She said department regulators will then spell out requirements for dispensaries and physicians, followed by those for registering caregivers and patients.

Gov. Jim Justice signed the MMJ measure into law on April 19. It permits doctors to recommend marijuana for medicinal purposes and establishes a regulatory system. According to the law, no patient or caregiver ID cards will be issued until July 2019.

Lawmakers gave the health department oversight over the state’s MMJ industry and tasked it with creating an online source of public information.

The medical marijuana section of the health department’s website features frequently asked questions for patients and caregivers, growers and processors, potential dispensary owners and physicians.

– Associated Press