Pro-cannabis supporters gathered in downtown Parkersburg Saturday to push for change.
Advocacy groups, patients and supporters united at Bicentennial Park to talk about proposed changes to the Medical Cannabis Act, or Senate Bill 386, which was passed last year.
Earlier this year, House Bill 4345 died in the House of Delegates. It would have expanded the act to allow businesses to act as a combination of growers, processors and dispensaries.
Supporters say medical marijuana legislation could prevent patients from relying on opioids and other harsh pharmaceuticals.
Organizers say it’s about making the law more accessible to those who really need it.
“For the current bill to work, first off, it has to be more patient focused. This bill is not patient-focused. There aren’t enough covered conditions,” said Green is the New Black group coordinator Danny Bragg.
Others say it’s time for the negative stigma of marijuana to go away.
“The 60s are long gone and people active in their community, who go to work every day, still want access to cannabis,” organizer Brent West said.
“I just hope these bills will get passed, so we can get people off opioids and onto a medical, natural herb,” supporter Latricia Griffith added.
Similar rallies took place Saturday in seven cities across the state.
