KINGWOOD — Preston commissioners won’t put the question of whether a marijuana grower or distributor can locate in the county on the ballot unless voters request it.
In that case, it should go on the next regular ballot, not as a special election, commissioners Dave Price, Don Smith and Samantha Stone agreed Monday.
“We have had a call or two from folks who have asked if Preston County prohibits dispensaries or growers,” County Administrator Shannon Wolfe said at Monday’s meeting.
West Virginia legalized medical use of cannabis. As part of that, anyone who wants to grow or distribute cannabis must apply to the state for a license.
The law also says, “A county may pass an ordinance by vote of the residents of the county to prohibit the operation or location of a medical cannabis organization within that particular county. A prohibition under this section shall remain in effect unless and until changed by a subsequent vote.”
If a county does not pass such an act, “it basically is approval by default,” Wolfe said.
Smith said he prefers to do nothing unless voters ask the commission to petition to put the issue on the ballot. If voters ask for that, it should be put on a regular ballot, he suggested, rather than the expense of a special election.
“The odds of us getting one here in the county are slim,” based on state guidelines, Smith said.
Wolfe said the state is divided into four regions, and permits will be issued for 10 growers and 10 processors in each region. The grower and dispenser cannot be the same person.
The State Department of Health and Human Resources, which is charged with implementing the medical cannabis program, did not reply to questions about the regions and applicants in time for this report.
“I never thought in my life that we would have this conversation,” Price said. “It is something we need to look at.”
Also, commissioners:
Agreed to pay IT Mindshare $599 to assess the county’s vulnerability to cyber attacks and train employees on what to watch for.
Moved the Aug. 5 meeting to 3 p.m. Aug. 6. Commissioners will be at meeting in Canaan Valley on the original date.
Agreed to allow the Preston County Arts and Music Festival to use the courthouse lawn Aug. 3.
Increased hours worked by Executive Assistant Angie Whetsell from 35 hours per week to 40. Her pay is unchanged at $17.03 per hour. Whetsell works in the commission office.
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