KINGWOOD — Preston commissioners haven’t received notice of any medical marijuana applications, County Administrator Kathy Mace said Tuesday.
Last week, county Health Department Director V.J. Davis told the county board of health he was notified one application was made for Preston County and it would be sent on by the state soon.
“To the best of my knowledge, we have interest. I don’t know of the applicant,” Mace said.
Legislation passed last year allows applications for dispensaries, growers and processors. Applications are made at the state level and became available in December.
“Basically what it is we don’t have anything to do with the permitting process … and we’ve had interest. We had someone approach us when they were discussing the bill. It became more immediate to us once the applications became available,” Mace said.
County commissions can put an ordinance before voters to prohibit putting a cannabis facility in a county. Raleigh County took the opposite action, passing a motion to welcome any applications, Commissioner Don Smith noted.
Mace reminded commissioners of their decision in July 2019 not to put the question on the ballot.
Once the State Office of Medical Cannabis receives an application, it will ask the county in which the facility would be placed if it has any laws about the facilities, including any zoning ordinances that could affect the placement.
The state will allow 10 sites for growers, 10 sites for processors and up to 100 dispensaries, Mace said.
“It’s pretty simple really,” Commissioner Dave Price said. Commission President Samantha Stone said commissioners would continue to educate themselves on the issue.
Commissioners also:
– Approved several changes in meeting dates and times. They include: 10:30 a.m. Jan. 21 meeting, Jan. 28 meeting cancelled, 10:45 a.m. Jan. 31 special session, 5:30 p.m. Feb. 4, Feb. 11 meeting cancelled, 6:15 p.m. Feb. 13, 9 a.m.
Feb. 18, 9 a.m. Feb. 25.
– Reappointed Brian King to the Preston County Fireman’s Association for a three-year term.
– Will accept applications until Friday from people who want to serve on the Mountaineer Trail Authority Board. Applications can be emailed to kjmace@prestoncountywv.gov or mailed to Mace at 106 W. Main St., Suite 202, Kingwood, WV 26537.
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