West Virginia Code Chapter 16A. Medical Cannabis Act § 16A-16-1. Effective date

(a) Unless excepted in subsection (b) or (c) of this section, the provisions of this act shall be effective upon passage. 1

(b) The provisions of § 16A-12-1 et seq. of this code, and any other criminal provisions or penalties contained in this act, shall not be effective until 90 days from passage of Senate Bill 386 during the 2017 regular session.

(c) Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the contrary, no identification cards may be issued to patients until July 1, 2019. The bureau may take sufficient steps through rule to implement the preliminary provisions in preparation for implementation of the provisions of this act.

(d) Notwithstanding the prohibition contained in subsection (c) of this section on the issuance of identification cards until July 1, 2019, the bureau may implement a process for the preregistration of patients with a serious medical condition who have been issued a certification approved by the bureau and to a caregiver designated by the patient: Provided, That a patient who is preregistered must nevertheless comply with the provisions of § 16A-5-1 of this code and may not be issued an identification card necessary to obtain and use medical cannabis as authorized by this act until July 1, 2019.