Monongalia health board approves permits for medical marijuana dispensaries

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 coronavirus pandemic halted in-person meetings in March.

The state Office of Medical Cannabis in June sent 21 applications to county officials. Dr. Lee Smith, the executive director of the Monongalia County Health Department, workers were required to conduct manual measurements to ensure businesses were at least 1,000 feet away from day care centers and schools.

Officials rejected one of the applications; a dispensary to be located at 274 Old Cheat Rd., Morgantown, WV 26508 would have been 921 feet from a day care center.

The twenty facilities will be allowed to open in the spring of 2021.