A bill introduced today in the West Virginia Legislature seeks to remove marijuana, psilocybin, and tetrahydrocannabinols (THC) from the state’s list of controlled substances.
House Bill 2854, sponsored by Delegates Young, Pushkin, and Lewis, would fully deschedule these substances, meaning they would no longer be classified as controlled substances under state law. The measure has been referred to the House Health and Human Resources Committee, with further consideration by the Judiciary Committee if it advances.
If passed, the bill would mark a major shift in West Virginia’s approach to drug policy, particularly regarding marijuana and psychedelics. While some states have moved to reschedule these substances—placing them in a lower category of control—this proposal would remove them from scheduling altogether at the state level. However, the federal government still classifies all three as Schedule I drugs, meaning they are considered to have a high potential for abuse with no accepted medical use.
The filing of HB 2854 comes the same day as the introduction of House Bill 2887 by nine lawmakers. That measure would legalize recreational cannabis, including allowing licensed marijuana stores in counties that decide to allow them.
The bill now awaits its first hearing in the Health and Human Resources Committee.
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