OHIO COUNTY, W.Va. — Since recreational marijuana was legalized in Ohio, nearly $400 million has been collected in 2024 alone, while West Virginia sits quiet.
In February, Governor Mike DeWine proposed that the excise tax on recreational use be bumped up to 20% from 10%. That would then allow municipalities to receive 36% of that tax revenue, which is projected to bring in millions of dollars to places like Wintersville and St. Clairsville.
“It angers me because I saw this coming years ago,” West Virginia Del. Shawn Fluharty said. “It blows my mind that we can have alcohol sales through the roof, and you’re going to tell me we can’t have cannabis sales at all.”…