Another Push To Legalize Recreational Cannabis In West Virginia Amid Fentanyl Crisis

West Virginia Del. Evan Hansen (D) introduced a bill in the House of Delegates on Wednesday that would legalize the production, sale and use of recreational cannabis.

House Bill 4873, which would legalize marijuana for adults over 21, would allow cannabis sales by licensed operators and provide labeling regulations. Driving under the influence of marijuana would remain illegal, writes 12 Wboy. 

The legislation is similar to a bill introduced on the first day of the last legislative session that would allow adult possession of one ounce or less of marijuana and private consumption. House Bill 2091, sponsored by Danielle Walker (D) died in the House Health and Human Resources Committee. 

The new bill comes after state Senate President Craig Blair (R) called for marijuana legalization as a possible means to address the state's fentanyl crisis.

"My gut tells me it might not happen this year,” Blair said at an annual event sponsored by the West Virginia Press Association. “But you’re going to see it sooner than later because that is a way to combat the issue.”

The legislation is co-sponsored by the following delegates from the Democrat party: Hollis Lewis, Joey Garcia, Larry L. Rowe, John Williams, and Minority Leader Pro Tempore Kayla Young. The measure is also in the Health and Human Resources Committee and afterward should reach the Judiciary Committee and then the Finance Committee. 

Should the bill become law, counties would be allowed to hold an option election to decide whether to participate in the program. The legislation also proposes an excise tax at 15% of the sales price with the money being used to support the "Cannabis Transfer Tax Fund." A local 6% tax would be imposed with 50% funding the county and the rest foe municipalities. 

Multi-state medical marijuana operators that would benefit from adult-use legalization in the Mountain State include Trulieve Cannabis Corp. TCNNF, Columbia Care Inc. CCHWF, Heritage Cannabis Holding Corp HERTF, and Verano Holdings Stock VRNOF, among others.

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