How has legal cannabis affected West Virginia?

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The Medical Hashish Act was handed by the West Virginia Legislature and signed into regulation by Gov. Justice in 2017. In accordance with the West Virginia Division of Well being and Human Assets, since then, authorized hashish has enabled hundreds of qualifying West Virginians to entry a brand new choice for treating extreme or continual situations.

On the similar time, it has inspired financial growth by creating 332 direct jobs statewide, in line with Jason Body, Director of the West Virginia Workplace of Medical Hashish. Thus far, 9 dispensaries, two processors, and 6 growers are operational throughout West Virginia. Morgantown alone now has three dispensaries, two of which have opened in 2022.

Along with the over 300 direct jobs created by the business, Body mentioned that 1,884 jobs in building, safety and transportation have been created in consequence. “Because the medical hashish business continues to develop, alternatives for employment and affected person care in West Virginia may also develop,” mentioned Body. “Moreover, all merchandise allotted have been cultivated inside West Virginia’s borders at medical hashish progress and processing amenities.”

The Workplace of Medical Hashish has authorized greater than 7,000 purposes for medical hashish playing cards, in line with the WVDHHR.

Success tales from chronically sick sufferers, an 81% improve within the variety of affected person playing cards issued since January, and a 350% improve within the variety of operational dispensaries in the identical time interval exhibit the optimistic influence this laws and the Workplace of Medical Hashish have made in West Virginia and the potential for continued growth of the business and high quality of care, mentioned the DHHR.

For extra data on medical hashish in West Virginia, resembling how you can register for medical hashish or to discover a dispensary, go to the Workplace of Medical Hashish web site.