West Virginia Medical Cannabis Laws: Complete Guide 2026
West Virginia established its medical cannabis program through Senate Bill 386 (West Virginia Medical Cannabis Act) on April 19, 2017. Dispensary sales began in late 2021. The program has some of the strictest product form restrictions in the nation.
Is Marijuana Legal in West Virginia?
Medical marijuana is legal; recreational is not:
- Medical Cannabis: Legal since April 19, 2017 (SB 386)
- First Dispensary Sales: Fall 2021
- Recreational Cannabis: ILLEGAL
- Home Cultivation: NOT PERMITTED
- Smokable Flower: NOT PERMITTED (must be vaporized)
Key Legislation
| Law | Citation | Effective Date |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia Medical Cannabis Act | West Virginia Code § 16A-1-1 et seq. (SB 386) | April 19, 2017 |
| Office of Medical Cannabis Rules | WV CSR 64-110 | Ongoing |
| Patient Registration | WV Code § 16A-6-1 et seq. | 2017 |
Office of Medical Cannabis (OMC)
The Office of Medical Cannabis within the Bureau for Public Health oversees West Virginia's medical cannabis program.
Contact Information:
- Website: omc.wv.gov
- Patient Portal: omc.wv.gov/patients
- Phone: (304) 356-4992
- Email: medicalcannabis@wv.gov
Qualifying Medical Conditions
Under WV Code § 16A-5-8, the following conditions qualify for medical cannabis:
- Cancer
- HIV/AIDS
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Parkinson's disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Damage to nervous tissue of spinal cord with objective neurological indication of intractable spasticity
- Epilepsy
- Neuropathies
- Huntington's disease
- Crohn's disease
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Intractable seizures
- Sickle cell anemia
- Severe chronic or intractable pain of neuropathic origin
- Severe chronic or intractable pain in which conventional therapeutic intervention is contraindicated or ineffective
- Terminal illness with life expectancy of approximately one year or less
- Hospice care status
Permitted Product Forms
West Virginia has strict restrictions on product forms:
| Product Type | Legal Status |
|---|---|
| Pills/Capsules | âś“ Legal |
| Oils/Tinctures | âś“ Legal |
| Gels/Creams/Ointments | âś“ Legal |
| Topical applications | âś“ Legal |
| Dermal patches | âś“ Legal |
| Liquid forms | âś“ Legal |
| Vaporizable concentrates | âś“ Legal |
| Smokable flower | âś— NOT PERMITTED |
| Edibles | âś— NOT PERMITTED |
| Whole plant forms for smoking | âś— NOT PERMITTED |
Important: Cannabis flower may be sold for vaporization only, not smoking.
Possession Limits
Medical cannabis patients may possess:
| Supply Duration | Limit |
|---|---|
| 30-day supply | As determined by physician |
| THC content | 10% maximum per product |
Note: The 30-day supply amount is determined by the certifying physician based on the patient's needs.
Patient Registration
Requirements:
- West Virginia resident with valid state ID
- Certification from a registered physician
- Complete application via OMC patient portal
- Pay registration fee: $50 (annual)
- Background check required
Card Validity: 1 year from issuance (renewal required)
Caregiver Requirements
Patients who cannot obtain or administer cannabis themselves may designate a caregiver:
- Must be at least 21 years old
- Must be West Virginia resident
- Must pass background check
- Register with OMC and pay $25 fee
- May assist up to 5 patients
Home Cultivation
Home cultivation is NOT permitted in West Virginia.
All medical cannabis must be purchased from state-licensed dispensaries. Illegal cultivation carries felony penalties.
Dispensary and Licensing Structure
West Virginia has a limited licensing model:
| License Type | Maximum |
|---|---|
| Growers | 10 |
| Processors | 10 |
| Dispensaries | 100 |
Taxation
Medical Cannabis:
- 6% state sales tax
- Local taxes may apply
- No special cannabis excise tax
Penalties for Violations
Without a Medical Cannabis Card:
Under WV Code § 60A-4-401 and § 60A-4-406:
| Offense | Classification | Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Possession < 15 grams | Misdemeanor | Up to 90 days, $1,000 fine |
| Possession 15g - < 1kg | Misdemeanor | Up to 6 months, $1,000 fine |
| Possession ≥ 1 kg | Felony | 1-5 years, $15,000 fine |
| Distribution < 15g | Felony | 1-5 years, $15,000 fine |
| Distribution 15g - 5kg | Felony | 1-15 years, $25,000 fine |
| Distribution ≥ 5 kg | Felony | 2-20 years, $1,000,000 fine |
| Cultivation (any amount) | Felony | 1-15 years, $25,000 fine |
| Near school | Enhanced | Double penalties |
Note: West Virginia has NOT decriminalized recreational possession.
Driving Under the Influence
Driving under the influence of cannabis is prohibited under WV Code § 17C-5-2, regardless of medical patient status.
West Virginia has a zero-tolerance standard for cannabis-impaired driving.
DUI Penalties:
- 1st offense: Misdemeanor, $100-500 fine, up to 6 months jail, 15-45 day license revocation
- 2nd offense (within 10 years): $1,000-3,000 fine, 6 months to 1 year jail, 1-year revocation
- 3rd offense: Felony, $3,000-5,000 fine, 1-3 years prison, 1-year revocation
Medical patients are NOT exempt from DUI laws.
Employment Rights
West Virginia does NOT provide employment protections for medical cannabis patients.
- Employers may maintain drug-free workplace policies
- Employers may refuse to hire based on cannabis use
- Employers may terminate for positive drug test
- No protection for off-duty medical cannabis use
Public Consumption
Public consumption of medical cannabis is strictly prohibited:
- May only use in private residence
- Prohibited in any public place
- Prohibited in vehicles (even as passenger)
- Prohibited near schools
- Prohibited on federal property
Telehealth Evaluations
West Virginia permits telehealth evaluations for medical cannabis certifications:
- Initial certification via telehealth allowed
- Follow-up evaluations via telehealth allowed
- Must use West Virginia-licensed physician registered with OMC
Key Resources
- Office of Medical Cannabis: omc.wv.gov
- Patient Registration: omc.wv.gov/patients
- Provider Information: omc.wv.gov/practitioners
- West Virginia Legislature: wvlegislature.gov
- WV Code Chapter 16A: wvlegislature.gov/wvcode
Timeline of Medical Cannabis in West Virginia
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| April 19, 2017 | SB 386 (Medical Cannabis Act) signed into law |
| 2018-2019 | OMC develops regulations and licensing framework |
| 2020-2021 | First grower, processor, and dispensary licenses issued |
| Late 2021 | First dispensary sales to patients |
| 2022-2025 | Program continues expansion |
This information reflects West Virginia cannabis laws as of December 2025. Always consult official state sources and legal counsel for the most current requirements.