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McDowell delegate makes personal case for medical marijuana

By Pamela Pritt

Register-Herald

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — With the legalization of recreational marijuana in other states amounting to millions in tax revenues, West Virginia’s bill that proposes to make the plant legal for medical use is modest by comparison.

But Delegate Clif Moore, D-McDowell, has some personal reasons for supporting the bill. Moore’s oldest sister died of lupus, an autoimmune disease that can damage skin, joints and internal organs. The disease can range from mild to life-threatening, and affects as many as 1.5 million Americans, according to the Lupus Foundation’s website.

Moore said his sister’s life could have been easier if she’d been able to use medical marijuana.

“Life would have been a lot less painful for her,” Moore said. “I’m assuming other West Virginians have similar circumstances.”

Moore said medical marijuana could ease the symptoms of several illnesses. Moore said using medical marijuana for pain could allow people to be able to work, mingle in society and do everyday chores like grocery shopping.

“It’s time we had it; it’s as simple as that,” he said. “If we are doing this with our hearts and not with our heads, I don’t expect any pushback.”

The lead sponsor of the bill, Mike Manypenny, D-Taylor, a self-proclaimed eternal optimist, said he doesn’t expect the bill to pass this year, the fourth year he’s presented it. Manypenny said it’s unlikely the bill will pass in an election year, but he believes the legalization of medical marijuana has support from state residents…

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