From The Well


At the center of the West Virginia state capitol is an area known as “The Well.” It is the informal gathering place for lobbyists, reporters, constituents and lawmakers. Centrally located between the chambers of the House of Delegates and Senate, The Well is often where information is shared, alliances are formed and deals are made.

From The Well

Why Recessions Are the Perfect Time to Be an Entrepreneur


Brian Skinner Business

By Brian J. Skinner, Esq. Starting a business during a pandemic induced recession? Kinsey Grant argues that companies founded during an economic downturn are more resilient in the long-run. She asserts that if a company and a founder can make it through a year like 2020, they can make it through anything. Do you agree? Brian J. Skinner …Read More

U.S. presidential hopeful Biden says he would not ban fracking


Brian Skinner Gas and Oil

  Reuter’s – By Jarrett Renshaw – August 31, 2020 PITTSBURGH (Reuters) – Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden said on Monday he would not ban hydraulic fracturing, a controversial method of drilling for crude oil and natural gas, if elected and called Republican assertions that he supports such a ban a lie. More . . .   …Read More

Federal marijuana reform momentum expected to continue despite absence from party conventions


Brian Skinner marijuana

Marijuana Business Daily – August 31, 2020 The Democratic and Republican national conventions barely touched on federal marijuana reform. The Republicans didn’t even write a new platform. And the Democratic platform fell short of supporting the efforts congressional Democrats have made in the past year toward federal marijuana legalization and cannabis banking reform. More . …Read More

US House to take up cannabis descheduling bill week of Sept. 21


Brian Skinner marijuana

  Marijuana Business Daily – August 31, 2020 The MORE Act, a bill that would deschedule marijuana and thereby legalize it federally – with massive business implications – is scheduled to be considered by the full U.S. House of Representatives the week of Sept. 21, according to an email sent by House Majority Leader Steny …Read More

The State of State (and Local) Tax Policy


Brian Skinner marijuana, Tax Policy

  By Brian Skinner, Esq. Continuing today’s theme of marijuana legalization, I thought it might be helpful to take a look at the Tax Policy Center‘s briefing on marijuana taxation policy. Although prohibited under federal law, marijuana sales are legal and taxed in nine states: Alaska, California, Colorado, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. Marijuana is legal in …Read More

The Economic Benefits of Legalizing Marijuana


Brian Skinner Government & Policy, marijuana
Marijuana Economy

  By Brian Skinner, Esq. Recent news that the U.S. House of Representatives will likely vote on a bill to decriminalize marijuana and leave legalization up to the states caused me to think it might be time to share an article on the economic benefits of legalizing marijuana. As I discussed last week, despite the potential for tax …Read More

Marijuana decriminalization vote expected in House


Brian Skinner marijuana
Marijuana

  Fox News — By Paul Best — August 31, 2020  The House will likely vote on a historic marijuana decriminalization bill next month, House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn said Friday. The Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act, or MORE, would decriminalize marijuana by removing it from the Controlled Substances Act. States would then be free …Read More

The High Cost of Evictions to Families and the Economy


Brian Skinner Evictions, Housing

  By Brian Skinner, Esq. The United States may be facing the most severe housing crisis in its history. Many who suffered from unstable housing before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, are now in an even worse situation. In Sunday’s New York Times, author of “Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City”, Matthew …Read More

Study Shows Few Clinicians Prescribe Buprenorphine to Patients With Opioid Use Disorder


Brian Skinner Health Care, Substance Use Prevention and Treatment

  Pew – By Alexandra Duncan & Ian Reynolds – August 24, 2020 Research published Aug. 24 in JAMA Network Open helps to explain the vast treatment gap for people with opioid use disorder (OUD), attributing it in part to the small number of clinicians prescribing buprenorphine, a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medication that has been …Read More