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Introduced Version House Concurrent Resolution 79 History

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HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 79

(By Delegates Rowe, Pushkin, Robinson and Isner)

[Introduced March 10, 2017]

 

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study the costs and benefits of medicinal marijuana and the costs and benefits of enforcement of criminal marijuana laws, in light of the state's opioid epidemic.

Whereas, Modern medical research has discovered a beneficial use for medicinal marijuana in treating and alleviating the pain and other symptoms associated with certain debilitating medical conditions and injuries that often fail to respond to conventional treatments; and

Whereas, Medicinal marijuana has a beneficial use for the relief of nausea, vomiting and other side effects of drugs increasing the chances of patients continuing on life-saving treatment regimens; and

Whereas, Reports have shown the therapeutic value of medicinal marijuana in treating a wide array of debilitating medical conditions including, but not limited to, cancer, glaucoma, positive status for human immunodeficiency virus, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, hepatitis C, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease), Crohn's disease, epilepsy, alzheimer's disease, parkinson's disease, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, addiction to opiates or amphetamines, chronic and debilitating diseases or medical conditions or the treatments that produce one or more of the following: cachexia or wasting syndrome, severe or chronic pain, severe nausea, seizures and severe and persistent muscle spasms; and

Whereas, The Legislature is committed to evaluating the use of appropriate pain therapy techniques as those develop within various regulated clinical environments and applying those methodologies in this state to provide appropriate and cost-effective pain therapy for the citizens of this state thus reducing the likelihood of addiction and abuse; and

Whereas, Over one hundred forty-six million people in the United States reside in a state where some form of marijuana is legalized; and

Whereas, For many years in West Virginia, there have been more marijuana arrests on an annual basis than arrests for all other drugs combined; and

Whereas, FBI statistics show that in 2012, there were about seven thousand nine hundred drug arrests in West Virginia, including about four thousand two hundred for marijuana, and of those about three thousand seven hundred, were for mere possession; and, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance conduct a study on the costs and benefits of medicinal marijuana and the costs and benefits of enforcement of the criminal marijuana laws, in light of the state's opioid epidemic; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2018, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.

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