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

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

When Will Unemployed West Virginians See Promised Lost Wage Assistance?

Brian Skinner COVID-19, Governor, Unemployment Benefits

  By Brian Skinner, Esq. Update — During his August 28 briefing, Governor Justice announced that FEMA has approved the State’s application for more than $68.2 million in grant funding, which will allow WorkForce West Virginia to continue providing extra unemployment benefits to residents across the state. The governor did not indicate when unemployed West Virginians can expect to …Read More