Lawmakers failed to take action on House Bill 4712 before the legislative session came to an end. The legislation sought to depenalize marijuana possession offenses.
If enacted the legislation would have removed marijuana from the list of schedule I drugs according to the West Virginia state schedule of controlled substances and removed all state criminal and civil penalties associated with the substance. The state would have created a tax stamp for eligible persons to purchase to allow for the possession of up to two ounces of marijuana.
Additionally, adults 21 and older would have been allowed to cultivate up to six cannabis plants, and transfer up to one ounce of cannabis to another person age 21 or older without remuneration.
Under present state law, the possession of any amount of cannabis is classified as a criminal misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail, a fine, and a criminal record.
NORML would like to thank those of you who contacted their state elected officials on behalf of this legislation.
National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws – Advocacy Campaigns
