West Virginia: the future for cannabis is on your ballot!

West Virginia is one of only 19 states that still jails people for possessing small amounts of cannabis. Under current law, even a first offense for a small amount is a crime carrying up to 90 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000. In 2025 alone, 1,735 West Virginians were arrested for possession. Meanwhile, more than half of Americans now live in states where cannabis is legal, including three of West Virginia’s five neighbors.

Mountaineers facing arrests aren't the only ones being left behind. Even patients in West Virginia’s medical cannabis program go without options available in other medical states. Dispensaries here can’t sell edibles, even though nearly every other medical cannabis state allows them. A bill to fix that passed the House of Delegates this year, but never became law. It’s time for West Virginia to catch up.

In the coming days, voters will have an opportunity to decide who represents them in the U.S. and state capitol. While there is not a governor's race this year, Mountaineers will be voting on U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives seats, all 100 members of the House of Delegates, and roughly half of the state Senate.

All of these positions play a major role in whether cannabis policy moves forward during the next four years. 

Voters are eager for reform: In a 2025 survey, 93% of Mountaineers said they support legal, regulated adult-use cannabis.