This bill seeks to amend the West Virginia Code by reclassifying cannabis and its natural and synthetic derivatives from Schedule I to Schedule III. It proposes to delete references to "Marihuana; Marijuana (Cannabis, sp.);" and "Tetrahydrocannabinols; synthetic equivalents of the substances contained in the plant, or in the resinous extractives of Cannabis, sp." from Schedule I, thereby removing cannabis from the list of substances classified as Schedule I drugs. The reclassification aims to facilitate greater access and regulation of cannabis products, potentially allowing for medical use and research under less stringent restrictions, reflecting a broader trend in various states to reconsider the legal status of cannabis.

Additionally, the bill introduces new legal language that includes specific synthetic cannabinoids, such as Delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol and Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, along with their derivatives and analogs, into Schedule I of controlled substances. It outlines a comprehensive list of other psychoactive substances, including tryptamines, depressants, and stimulants, that will be regulated under various schedules. The bill emphasizes the inclusion of synthetic compounds that act as Cannabinoid receptor type 1 agonists and are not federally approved or used in legitimate medical research, ensuring that substances not recognized or regulated by international standards are adequately controlled to protect public health and safety.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 60A-2-204, 60A-2-208