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

It is Time For West Virginia to Declare Racism a Public Health Crisis

Brian Skinner Government & Policy, Racism

By Brian Skinner, Esq. On October 6, 2020, the Wheeling city council and mayor unanimously approved a resolution declaring racism a public health crisis. The resolution cites several national institutions, such as the American Public Health Association, the American Medical Association, the American Association of Pediatrics, the National Partnership for Women and Families, and the …Read More

The Healing Hearts Podcast goes in-depth on Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana program

Brian Skinner Medical Cannabis

  POINT PARK UNIVERSITY – All seven first-season episodes of the Healing Hearts Podcast, created to provide education, innovation and information about Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana program, are now available on Apple Podcasts and other platforms. The podcast is a product of The Healing Center, Western Pennsylvania’s premier medical cannabis dispensary group, and was produced in …Read More

Glenville State College prioritizes health, academics and experience under new leadership

Brian Skinner Higher Education

The State Journal — by Kailee Kroll  — October 19, 2020 GLENVILLE — A transition of leadership isn’t the only thing happening at Glenville State College this year as the campus’s administration works to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, expand the college’s reach, and strengthen and implement academic programs. Since becoming Glenville State College’s president …Read More

Out-of-state companies, campaign donors make up majority of West Virginia’s medical cannabis growers

Brian Skinner Medical Cannabis

News and Sentinel – By Steven Allen Adams – October 17, 2020 CHARLESTON — After years of delay, West Virginia recently took a big step by selecting the first growers for its medical cannabis program, but West Virginia-based companies were largely left out in favor of out-of-state companies including a political donor. The Office of …Read More

Court Issues Emergency Order Blocking Mountain Valley Pipeline From Stream, Wetland Construction

Brian Skinner Energy & enviroment

West Virginia Public Broadcasting — By Brittany Patterson — October 16, 2020 A federal appeals court has temporarily blocked developers of the Mountain Valley Pipeline from doing construction across streams and wetlands in southern West Virginia and Virginia. The emergency administrative stay was issued Friday by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. Environmental …Read More

Weed stocks surge as Kamala Harris vows to decriminalize pot in debate

Brian Skinner Elections, Marijuana policy
Marijuana Flower

Reuters — By Shariq Khan — October 8, 2020 U.S.-listed shares of major cannabis producers surged on Thursday after Democratic vice president nominee Kamala Harris said marijuana would be decriminalized at a federal level in the United States under a Biden administration. During Wednesday night’s debate with Vice President Mike Pence, Harris said she and Democratic presidential …Read More

Monongalia County leaders concerned about local marijuana dispensary rules

Brian Skinner Local Government, Medical Cannabis

WV Metro News — By Mike Nolting — October 15, 2020 MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Local and state lawmakers from Monongalia County are concerned about changes to medical marijuana dispensary requirements, with officials arguing the chances could delay or prevent some applicants from receiving approval. State regulations require dispensaries to be at least 1,000 feet from a …Read More