West Virginia

WSAZ Investigates | Looking to Snuff Out Hidden High

Published

2 years ago

February 21, 2023

WSAZ Investigates | Looking to Snuff Out Hidden High

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) – A proposal into account within the West Virginia Senate might ban Delta 8 THC in West Virginia, as proponents goal fake merchandise marketed to kids, whereas opponents say the laws goes too far.

These merchandise — that look just like your favourite chips, candies and cereals — include Delta 8, a type of THC, which is an energetic ingredient in marijuana.

The proposal comes almost a yr after a WSAZ Investigation, wherein the West Virginia Agriculture Division expressed concern that the merchandise might fall into the mistaken fingers.

“They’re truly labeled and packaged in order that they’re very enticing to kids, or youthful folks they usually don’t know what they’re truly getting,” stated Amie Minor final spring, director of regulatory and environmental affairs for the West Virginia Division of Agriculture. “The buyer may very well get sick, and even die probably, as a result of they’ve consumed these merchandise.”

The state Agriculture Division has stated you might be legally allowed to promote hemp merchandise in West Virginia, together with ones that include Delta 8, so long as the merchandise are grown naturally and include lower than 0.3% THC.

State officers inform WSAZ the producers of look-alike merchandise label them as containing Delta 8, however the merchandise usually include a lot larger ranges of THC than the authorized restrict – generally as much as 10 or 15%.

West Virginia State Police instructed WSAZ final yr {that a} product with 600 mg of THC can be equal to smoking about three joints of marijuana.

West Virginia Agriculture Commissioner Kent Leonhardt not too long ago instructed WSAZ Investigative/Political Reporter Curtis Johnson that his workplace has been making an attempt to get these merchandise faraway from cabinets, however his division has run into a number of roadblocks.

“Did you guys come to a scenario the place you thought there was not statute to take the motion that you simply needed to take?” Johnson requested.

“That’s right,” Leonhardt replied. “A number of instances we’re instructed to control issues with none enamel.”

Leonhardt’s workplace has stated when it identifies the unlawful merchandise and tries to take them off the cabinets, workers has handled competition from retailer homeowners. Additionally they say shell firms, who promote the merchandise to shops, usually disappear and are arduous to trace down.

Quick ahead from final yr’s WSAZ Investigation to now – Senate Invoice 546 would place Delta 8 THC on an inventory of unlawful medication, comparable to heroin. Which means all types of Delta 8 – no matter how a lot THC is inside – couldn’t be utilized in merchandise offered within the state.

“Is that this a growth out of what we talked about final yr?” Johnson requested Leonhardt.

“Sure it’s,” he replied.

The invoice is sponsored by former U.S. attorney-turned-freshman senator, Mike Stuart. He says his workers not too long ago collected most of the objects at native vape shops and even comfort shops.

“THC is the stuff that will get you excessive,” Stuart, R-Kanawha, instructed WSAZ. “My invoice merely offers with these substances that get you excessive. There’s no medical objective for any of those besides to get you excessive.”

The last word objective to get these objects banned in West Virginia. At minimal, Stuart and Leonhardt need an age restriction.

“You indicated to me that there’s no age restriction on this stuff, however the footage you despatched me say, ‘Adults 18+?’” Johnson requested.

“These had been placed on from people who had been promoting these items,” Stuart stated of the grownup warnings. “I might argue these stickers are merely advertising and marketing supplies to make the general public really feel a bit bit higher.”

Matt Peyton owns Thrax, a hemp firm in Mason County. He says the invoice goes too far, claiming it punishes those that comply with the foundations when utilizing Delta 8 for his or her merchandise.

“Particularly, our gummies that we make, this is able to make them unlawful within the state of West Virginia,” he instructed WSAZ. “The state of West Virginia might be the place I might say 75% of our merchandise are offered and consumed by authorized adults. We placed on all of our merchandise that it’s important to be 21 and as much as buy.”

Leonhardt believes the proposal might be a sport changer in preserving unsafe merchandise off the cabinets.

“We’ve bought to ensure we get these issues off the road,” he stated.

Stuart says the has already handed out of committee. He stated senators are presently engaged on an modification earlier than it hits the Senate flooring.

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West Virginia

West Virginia Wraps up Nonconference Slate with a Win Over Mercyhurst

Published

2 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Press Room

West Virginia Wraps up Nonconference Slate with a Win Over Mercyhurst

Morgantown, WV – West Virginia senior guard Javon Small scored a game-high 19 points while senior center Eduardo Andre put in a Mountaineer career-best 14 points and senior guard Tobi Okani recorded a double double with 13 points and 12 rebounds as the Mountaineers (9-2) extended their winning streak to five with a 67-4 win over the Mercyhurst Lakers (6-9) Sunday afternoon.

Mercyhurst took the early lead, but West Virginia responded with a 7-0 run, ignited with a three from freshman guard Jonathan Powell, and forced Lakers head coach Gary Manchel to take a timeout.

Lakers senior forward Jeff Planutis buried a three out of the break to get back within two. The Mountaineers answered with another 7-0 run with Javon Small opening the run with a midrange jumper and Toby Okani finishing with a backdoor to cut to the rim to cap it off for the 16-7 lead at the 12:27 mark of the first half.

West Virginia struggled to pull away from a Mercyhurst program that jumped up to the Division I level over the summer and did not grab a double-digit lead until 5:50 left in the half after a jumper from senior guard Joseph Yesufu.

Eduardo Andre gave the Mountaineers their largest first half lead of 14, and the final field goal of the half, for his nine first half points with 3:32 remaining until halftime as the Mountaineers took a 35-22 lead into the break.

After West Virginia went up 16 to begin the second half, Mercyhurst dwindled the Mountaineers lead to nine with a 7-0 run, led by Aidan Reichert putting in the final five consecutive points.

West Virginia broke the game open with a 15-0 run midway through the second half with Toby Okani lead the way with six points as the Mountaineers took a 54-32 lead and coasted to a 67-46 victory.

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West Virginia

Humanities Council’s traveling exhibition, ‘Born of Rebellion: West Virginia’s Statehood and the Civil War,’ on display in Bluefield

Published

10 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Press Room

Humanities Council’s traveling exhibition, ‘Born of Rebellion: West Virginia’s Statehood and the Civil War,’ on display in Bluefield

PRESS RELEASE:

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Humanities Council’s flagship traveling exhibition, Born of Rebellion: West Virginia Statehood and the Civil War, is now on display at the Paine Gallery at the Bluefield Arts Center from now until February 3. Hours and information are available at www.barcwv.org.

This comprehensive, large-scale experience covers sectional tensions within Virginia preceding the Civil War, the violence and chaos of the war surrounding West Virginia’s formation and the difficult aftermath as the new state struggled to forge its destiny during Reconstruction. Born of Rebellion explores this tumultuous and complex era from a wide range of perspectives, including politicians, common soldiers, women and African Americans. Not simply a story of war and politics, Born of Rebellion conveys the complexities and pitfalls that accompanied West Virginia’s arduous journey to separation from Virginia.

“It has been such a pleasure working with Bluefield Arts and Revitalization Corporation to get Born of Rebellion in Mercer County for the holidays,” said Council Program Officer Kyle Warmack. “The Paine Gallery is a perfect display space for the exhibit, and we hope its time here provokes discussion about this part of West Virginia’s experience during the war and our journey to statehood.”

For more information about Born of Rebellion, visit wvhumanities.org and click “Traveling Exhibits” under the Programs menu. For more about the Paine Gallery, its hours of operation and other visitor information, please contact the Bluefield Arts & Revitalization Corporation at (304) 589-0239.

The West Virginia Humanities Council, an independent nonpartisan nonprofit, is the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. The Council is supported by the NEH, the State of West Virginia and contributions from the private sector. The purposes of the West Virginia Humanities Council are educational, and its mission is to support a vigorous program in the humanities statewide in West Virginia.

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West Virginia

No. 14 West Virginia Upset in Boulder Following Brutal Fourth Quarter

Published

18 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Press Room

No. 14 West Virginia Upset in Boulder Following Brutal Fourth Quarter

Boulder, CO – No. 14 West Virginia took an 11-point lead into the fourth quarter but shot 2-12 from the field and committed four turnovers in the final 10 minutes as the Colorado Buffaloes (10-2) went 9-11 from the floor and stormed back from a 16-point second half deficit to upset the Mountaineers (10-2) Saturday night 65-60.

West Virginia junior guard Jordan Harrsion led the Mountaineers with 18 points and five assists, but Frida Formann put in a game-high 22 points and forwards Lior Garzon and Jade Masogayo led the second half comeback to combine for 22 second half points.

West Virginia junior guard Syndey Shaw started the night with a three and a pair of steals in the backcourt by Harrison that led to layups gave the Mountaineers an early 7-6 advantage.

Frida Formann was off to a hot start, hitting her first three field goal attempts for seven of the nine Colorado points, including a three to give Colorado a 9-7 lead at the 4:30 mark of the first quarter.

The Mountaineers finished the first quarter with a 9-0 run with freshman forward Jordan Thomas leading the way with four points and a 16-9 WVU lead heading into the second quarter.

Jordan Harrsion opened the second quarter with a three to extend the lead to 10, but West Virginia went 3-9 and committed five turnovers while Colorado was 7-15 from the field and cut the deficit to three, 28-25, at the break.

Frida Forman led all scorers at the break with 15 points as Harrison scored a Mountaineer-high 12 points with two assists.

Jade Masogayo cut the WVU lead to one with a lay-in, but West Virginia responded with a 19-4 run, led by guard Kyah Watson putting in five of her eight points on the night for a 47-31 lead with 3:05 left in the third quarter.

Colorado began to build momentum heading into the fourth quarter, despite West Virginia leading by 11.

The Mountaineers went cold in the fourth quarter while the Buffaloes got hot. West Virginia missed its first four shots from the field while Colorado dwindled the lead to five before Harrison got the contested layup and ended a five-minute scoring drought.

The Buffaloes continued their momentum, while West Virginia struggled from the field and extending their run to 22-4 behind nine points from Garzon to build a seven-point lead with 36 seconds remaining in the game and held on for the 65-60 victory.

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