HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION XXX

(By Delegates Perdue, Ambler, Bates, Byrd, Ellington, D. Evans, Flanigan, Fleischauer, Hicks, Manchin, Marcum, Morgan, Moye, Pushkin, Rodighiero, Skinner, R. Smith and P. White)

[Introduced ]

Requesting the Congressional Representatives of the State of West Virginia ask the federal government of the United States of America to reinstitute the Compassionate Investigational New Drug Program.

Whereas, The Compassionate Investigational New Drug Program ceased to accept new patients beginning in 1992, leaving thousands without access to medication that could potentially cure their affliction; and

Whereas, The Compassionate Investigational New Drug Program allowed patients suffering from terminal illnesses or illnesses with no known cure the opportunity to try unapproved drugs and medications, including medical marihuana; and

Whereas, Medical marihuana has been proven to aid patients with terminal illnesses in recovering from other forms of treatment, such as chemotherapy; and

Whereas, More and more anecdotal reports from people that may have qualified for the Compassionate Investigational New Drug Program are showing that medical marihuana has helped them recover from severe illnesses and helped those with terminal illnesses with comfort and general well-being; and

Whereas, Studies produced by the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws show that medicinal cannabis could help people suffering from many other illnesses, including Alzheimer’s, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s; and

Whereas, The reinstitution of the Compassionate Investigational New Drug Program would allow current and future patients suffering from painful, incurable or terminal illnesses an alternative to traditional medicine, which has shown to be addictive; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislative of West Virginia:

That the Legislature of the State of West Virginia hereby requests the Congressional Delegation from West Virginia request the federal government to reinstitute the Compassionate Investigational New Drug Program to aid suffering citizens in their fight against their terrible illnesses; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates forward a certified copy of this resolution to the United States Senators Joe Manchin, III and Shelley Moore Capito and to Congressional Representatives David McKinley, Alex Mooney and Evan Jenkins.