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

Drug and Health-Focused Groups Urge Incoming Biden Administration to Address Opioid Abuse and End the Drug War

Brian Skinner Government & Policy, Opioid Drug Crisis

By Brian Skinner, Esq. The Washington Post reported on Wednesday that more than 200 drug and health-focused groups are urging the incoming Biden administration to address opioid abuse and end the drug war. The letter calls on the incoming administration to take bold, decisive, evidence-based action that shifts the government’s response to substance use. The The …Read More

Report recommends states eliminate regulations on telehealth and on methadone and buprenorphine that are more restrictive than federal guidelines.

Brian Skinner COVID-19, Medication-Assisted Treatment, Opioid Drug Crisis

By Brian Skinner, Esq. A new report from researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health offers recommendations aimed at federal, state, and local policymakers to address the opioid epidemic during the pandemic, which has seen sharp increases in fatal and nonfatal overdoses. The report “Saving Lives From Overdose During a Pandemic” draws from …Read More

The AMA Urges Governors and State Legislatures to Take Action to Curb Drug Overdoses

Brian Skinner Government & Policy, Opioid Drug Crisis
Opioid drugs

By Brian Skinner, Esq. An increasing number of reports in the national, state and local media suggests an upsurge in opioid- and other drug-related mortality—particularly from illicitly manufactured fentanyl and fentanyl analogs. Although nationwide data is incomplete, the data that is available suggests drug overdose deaths are on track to reach an all-time high. Prior to the arrival …Read More

The Healing Center is the Pittsburgh Area’s Second Largest Medicinal Marijuana Dispensary

Brian Skinner Medical Cannabis

By Brian Skinner, Esq. A recent report finds that The Healing Center (THC) is the Pittsburgh area’s second largest dispensary ranked by local employment. The company features an extensive selection of plant-based medical choices grown exclusively for its patients. The Healing Center strives to help all patients find the most effective medical cannabis treatment to increase their …Read More

Republicans Maintain Advantage in Control of State Legislative Chambers

Brian Skinner Elections, State Legislatures

Route Fifty — By Kate Elizabeth Queram, Staff Correspondent — November 4, 2020 Democrats in several state legislatures saw their hopes for claiming majorities in more chambers slip away Wednesday as early election returns indicated that Republicans largely maintained or increased their legislative power.  “I think the overall results are a big disappointment for the …Read More

Elections Are Not Just About Candidates

Brian Skinner Elections

By Brian J. Skinner Although most of the discussion following yesterday’s voting is focused on the Presidential race, several states also had referendums on the ballot. Some of the more notable referendums include: Marijuana — New Jersey and Arizona legalized recreational marijuana use, while South Dakota and Mississippi approved medical marijuana. Now, one in three Americans live in …Read More

EPEC director awarded advocacy award by W.Va. Coalition Against Domestic Violence

Brian Skinner Domestic Violence

The Journal — By Breanna Francis — Oct 28, 2020  MARTINSBURG — Awarded for her dedication to raising awareness and advocating for the rights of every person regardless of age, race, gender, sexual orientation or financial status, Eastern Panhandle Empowerment Center Director Katie Spriggs was named one of two Diane Reese Advocacy Award winners statewide. According to …Read More

Gov. Justice Awards $17.3 Million in Victims of Crime Act Grants to 84 Agencies Across West Virginia

Brian Skinner Domestic Violence

10/23/2020 CHARLESTON, WV – Gov. Jim Justice announced today at the beginning of his COVID-19 briefing that he has awarded $17,301,804 in Victims of Crime Act Assistance (VOCA) sub-grant funds to 84 public and private non-profit agencies throughout the state. “We need to help victims of violent crime in every way we possibly can,” Gov. Justice said. …Read More

Monongalia health board approves permits for medical marijuana dispensaries

Brian Skinner Medical Cannabis

WV Metro News — By Mike Nolting  — October 25, 2020 MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The Monongalia County Board of Health has approved 20 permits for medical cannabis dispensaries. The board’s approval last week was part of a 10-month process; members began reviewing applications last December and met with medical marijuana representatives and state health officials until the …Read More

WV Medical Cannabis Program Selects Seed to Sale Vendor

Brian Skinner Medical Cannabis

10/21/2020 The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, Bureau for Public Health, Office of Medical Cannabis (OMC) today announced Metrc as the new state Seed to Sale system provider. “This is an important step to make certain medical cannabis is available only to West Virginians with serious medical conditions and to prevent diversion …Read More