West Virginia cannabis education center opens

West Virginia has become an epicenter of opioid deaths in the United States over the past decade, and Huntington's has long been considered ground zero for this epidemic.

Huntington's disease overdose rates have been up to 10 times higher than the national average, and the COVID pandemic has made the US overdose epidemic worse, with overdoses hitting a record high in 2020.

According to experts, the reasons for the occurrence of the opioid epidemic in West Virginia are a combination of sociocultural factors, a weak economy, a lack of education and a high prescription and dispensing rate of prescription opioids.

As city and state officials in government and law enforcement continue to fight the crisis, a new medical marijuana dispensing company, TerraLeaf, says on 2018 3rd Ave. in Huntington in the former Stadium Frame building that it has come to help.

"We chose Huntington, West Virginia for our expansion largely because of the opioid crisis that is raging in the area," said TerraLeaf manager Torrey Clark. "We reached out to the church to let them know who we are and what we do.

Clark says education is key to providing resources for cannabis education and creating positive change. For this reason, the company will first open its education center before setting up its pharmacy in the coming months. He said the 5,000-square-foot space is divided to provide an education center for the community in addition to the pharmacy.

"TerraLeaf's Education Center will provide courses and information on the various elements of cannabis, including strains, terpenes and methods of consumption," he said.

The Medical Cannabis Act, which allows medical cannabis in West Virginia, allows residents of West Virginia with serious medical conditions to purchase medicinal cannabis for certified medical use in the following forms: pill, oil, topical forms including gels, creams or ointments, a form medically suitable for administration by evaporation or misting, dry leaf or plant form, tincture, liquid or skin patch.

According to the West Virginia Office of Medical Cannabis, eligible state residents with any of 15 diagnosed diseases can register for medical cannabis use.

Since the state's approval of medical cannabis, more than 4,000 residents have applied for a medical marijuana card and more than 3,000 applications have been approved.

"The education center will also help new patients register for their medical cannabis cards and print cards for those who are already approved," said Clark.

State officials have stated that the patient card is only valid in West Virginia and does not provide legal protection for products purchased outside of West Virginia's medical cannabis system.

Clark added that TerraLeaf will create up to 35 jobs in Huntington. He said the company is currently hiring product specialists, patient care coordinators, regional managers and security guards.

TerraLeaf is West Virginia's first female-run medical cannabis dispenser. The owner is Chris Visco, President and CEO of TerraVida.

Visco founded the largest medical cannabis retailer in Pennsylvania. The female-run company currently employs 168 people and has three retail stores in the Philadelphia suburbs of Abington, Malvern and Sellersville.

Visco opened her first TerraVida Holistic location in 2018. She said she personally paid for the plan to expand south by paying the application fees and securing a building in Huntington.

"TerraVida Holistic Centers has seen great success fighting opioid deaths from cannabis use," she said. "The year after medical marijuana was legalized in Pennsylvania, there was a 25% decrease in opioid-related deaths."

Visco is an entrepreneur fighting breast cancer, raising a family and expanding TerraLeaf as a company.

"Having experienced firsthand the benefits of medical marijuana for cancer treatment, I believe we can cure West Virginia through the use of medicinal cannabis, and I look forward to integrating with the community," she said.

Visco is also committed to helping people who are disproportionately affected by the war on drugs. She founded VOWD (Victims of The War on Drugs), a nonprofit advocating judicial reform and equality in marijuana laws.

West Virginia became the 29th state to approve medical marijuana in April 2017, but it took four years for the state to license pharmacies. The state issued 10 grower permits, 10 processor permits, and 100 dispenser permits, including six in Huntington and two in Barboursville.

Other Huntington pharmacy approvals went to Harvest Care Medical LLC, Yuma Way WV LLC, CAMO Medical West Virginia LLC, Terrasana, which operates under the name Huntington Retail, and Compiler Wellness LLC, which also received approval for a Barboursville location . Marachem Inc. has also been approved for a pharmacy in Barboursville.

The state's list shows that 32 state-level companies have received approval to open medical cannabis dispensaries or retail stores in West Virginia. Most of the applicants received a permit to operate more than one issuing point at a time.

A list of registered doctors who can certify patients under state law that they are eligible for the use of medicinal cannabis can also be found on the medical cannabis website. There is currently only one licensed physician in Cabell County, Dr. Michael Spindel, at 2060 3rd Ave. in Huntington's.

"We are excited about the opportunity to drive this movement by creating jobs, allocating cannabis education resources, and creating positive change that will ultimately have a lasting, positive impact on the West Virginia community and those affected by the opioid epidemic can, "said Visco.