West Virginia’s First Medical Cannabis Dispensary Opens Today

West Virginia’s first medical cannabis dispensary is opening today, more than four years after West Virginia lawmakers approved the reforms. Trulieve Cannabis Corp.’s Morgantown dispensary will debut today, with plans for its second location to open in Weston next Monday.

In a statement, Trulieve CEO Kim Rivers said the firm is “especially eager to leverage [their] first-mover advantage to bolster local economies by creating sustainable jobs and investing in marginalized communities.”

“We’re thrilled to be first to market in West Virginia and to continue building the foundation for the West Virginia’s emerging medical cannabis market. …  We look forward to serving West Virginia patients, who have been patiently waiting for this day to arrive, with an unparalleled retail experience and the high-quality medical cannabis products they can rely on for safe and effective relief.” – Rivers in a press release

The state’s medical cannabis bill was signed into law in April 2017. It allows for medical cannabis use in pills, oils, topical gels, liquids, dermal patches, and forms that can be vaporized.

Trulieve first announced plans to enter West Virginia in February 2021 and has secured four dispensary permits from the state’s Office of Medical Cannabis, the company said, adding that since November 4, officials have received more than 4,000 patient applications. The state’s medical cannabis qualifying list includes 15 conditions.

According to figures from the Department of Health and Human Resources outlined in July by West Virginia Metro News, there were 2,305 patients already enrolled in the state program.