virginia medical cannabis Archives

Virginia Governor Expected to Sign Bill Legalizing Distribution of Medical CBD and THC-A Oil

March 13, 2017 by Anthony Martinelli

A bill to legalize the production and distribution of cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol acid (THC-A) oil for medical purposes is expected to be signed into law by Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe.

Senate Bill 1027 was passed by the state’s House of Representatives with a unanimous 99 to 0 vote, and was approved by the Senate with a unanimous 38 to 0 vote. According to reports, Governor McAuliffe is expected to soon sign the measure into law (his deadline to do so is March 27th).

Under current Virginia law, the possession and use of CBD and THC-A oil is legal for medical use for those with epilepsy, but there’s no legal means of accessing the medicine. Senate Bill 1027 “Authorizes a pharmaceutical processor, after obtaining a permit from the Board of Pharmacy (the Board) and under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist, to manufacture and provide cannabidiol oil and THC-A oil to be used for the treatment of intractable epilepsy.”

Virginia Legislature Passes Bill Allowing Use and Distribution of CBD and THC-A Oil

March 6, 2017 by Anthony Martinelli

Virginia’s full legislature has given approval to legislation allowing for the production and distribution of medical oil made from cannabidiol (CBD) or THC-A (tetrahydrocannabinol acid).

Under current Virginia law, oil made from CBD or THCA (both compounds found in cannabis) is legal to possess and use for medical purposes, but only for those with intractable epilepsy. There also isn’t a safe, legal means for patients to access the oil.

The newly-approved measure would greatly expand the list of conditions that makes someone eligible to use these medicines to include HIV/AIDS, cancer, Crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis and several others. The proposal also allows pharmacies to manufacture and distribute the medicines to qualified patients (those with a qualifying condition who receive a recommendation from a physician and register with the state).

Virginia Senate Unanimously Passes Bill to Legalize Distribution of Medical Cannabis Oil

February 22, 2016 by Anthony Martinelli

Last year Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffer signed legislation into law that legalized the possession and use of cannabis extracts that has at least at least 15% CBD (cannabidiol), and no more than 5% THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) or THCA (tetrahydrocannabinol acid), for those with epilepsy. However, the new law doesn’t allow for the production or distribution of cannabis oil, requiring patients to obtain the medicine illegally.

Now, the Virginia Senate has voted to unanimously (38 – 0) pass a bill – Senate Bill 701 – that would remedy this by authorizing “a pharmaceutical processor” to “manufacture and provide cannabidiol oil and THC-A oil” after “obtaining a permit from the Board of Pharmacy and under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist”. The bill “provides criminal liability protection for pharmaceutical processors”.

Virginia Governor Signs Medical Cannabis Bills Into Law

February 27, 2015February 26, 2015 by Anthony Martinelli

Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffer signing House Bill 1445 and Senate Bill 1235 into law.

Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffer has signed into law two measures which legalize the medical use of cannabis extracts for the treatment of epilepsy.

Senate Bill 1235 and House Bill 1445 both include emergency clauses, meaning they’ll take effect immediately.

The new law allows those with seizure disorders who receive a recommendation from a physician to possess and use cannabis extracts that contain at least 15% CBD (cannabidiol), and no more than 5% THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) or THCA (tetrahydrocannabinol acid).

Virginia House of Representatives Unanimously Approves Bill to Legalize Cannabis Oil for Medical Use

February 25, 2015February 10, 2015 by Anthony Martinelli

Two containers filled with cannabis oil.

Virginia’s House of Representatives has given unanimous approval to a proposal to legalize the medical use of high-CBD and high-THCA cannabis oil for those with epilepsy.

A similar measure was approved 37 to 1 in the Senate last week. Once the two chambers reconcile the technical differences of the measures, which is expected to happen this week, it will head to Governor McAuliffe for consideration. McAuliffe will have the option of signing the measure into law, letting it become law without his signature, or vetoing it. However, given there was such strong consensus in the Legislature, there would be more than enough votes to override a potential veto.

Bill to Allow the Medical Use of Cannabis Oil Passes Virginia Senate with 37 to 1 Vote

February 5, 2015 by Anthony Martinelli

With a 37 to 1 vote, Senate Bill 1235 was passed today by Virginia’s Senate. The proposal would allow for the use of of high-CBD and high-THCA cannabis oil for those with epilepsy who receive a recommendation from a physician.

Specifically, Senate Bill 1235 would allow those with epilepsy who receive a recommendation from a physician to possess and use cannabis oil that has at least 15% cannabidiol (CBD) or 15% THCA (tetrahydrocannabinol acid), and no more than 5% THC. The measure doesn’t, however, authorize dispensaries to produce or distribute the medicine, so patients unfortunately will be left to either importing it, producing it themselves illegally or purchasing it illegally.

Virginia Poll: 74% of Voters Support Medical Cannabis, 60% Support Decriminalizing Cannabis

January 6, 2015 by Anthony Martinelli

A new poll conducted by Public Policy Polling has found that a strong majority of Virginia voters support both legalizing medical cannabis, and decriminalizing cannabis possession.

According to the poll – commissioned by the Marijuana Policy Project – 74% of voters in Virginia support “changing the law in Virginia to allow seriously and terminally ill patients to use medical marijuana” if their doctor recommends it. The poll found only 21% of voters to be opposed to such a move.