The House of Delegates passed a bill Wednesday that would increase the number of growers, processors, and dispensaries that can participate in West Virginia’s medical marijuana program that starts next summer.

House Bill 4345 would also allow businesses to act as any combination of growers, processors, and dispensaries; allow certain patients to pre-register for the program before its July 2019 commencement, and enhance some of the requirements to qualify for medical cannabis.

The bill passed on a 76-23 vote.

More specifically, the bill would increase the Bureau of Public Health’s ability to issue permits to growers, processors, and dispensaries from 10, 10 and 30 — respectively — to 50, 50 and 165.

After the bill passed the House, Moore said he suspects the Senate might amend the bill to include the leaf form of marijuana, as the MCAB requested, which could make for a tighter vote once returned to the House.

Sen. Richard Ojeda, D-Logan, introduced a bill in the Senate that would do as much, and allow patients to grow their own plants. However, the bill languished in committee.

Full article at Charleston Gazette-Mail