Readers are likely aware that there is more support in West Virginia Legislature to allow medical marijuana than perhaps there has ever been. During the previous session, a bill sponsored by the state Senate Majority lead had bipartisan support, but failed to pass before the session ended.
Still, medical marijuana supporters in West Virginia are encouraged. They believe that the state will pass medical marijuana legislation sooner or later, according to The Preston county News & Journal.
Does marijuana really have medicinal effects? A 2010 study from the University of California concluded that it reduced pain at least as effectively as prescription drugs. Medical marijuana is currently legal in 22 states. People in those state take it do control pain, muscle spasms, and symptoms of conditions like multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease.
Though more and more states are legalizing marijuana for medical and/or recreational purposes, cannabis is still illegal in most states and at the federal level. This forces people in states like West Virginia to purchase marijuana illegally, putting them at risk of arrest and prosecution.
When, and if, West Virginia’s lawmakers will allow medical marijuana use remains to be seen. Until then, drug charges remain likely for people caught with marijuana, especially for those police claim are engaged in trafficking.
Despite aggressive actions by authorities to enforce drug laws, there are still legal protections in place for those accused of drug possession or trafficking. An experienced defense attorney knows what those rights are, and how to invoke them in court.
