In a closely watched decision, the Jackson County Health Board has rejected a proposal to open a Cannabis Dispensary in the Fairplain neighborhood of Jackson County, West Virginia. The vote, taken Tuesday night, denied Bear River Dispensary’s application after a 30-day public comment period filled with passionate debate on both sides of the issue.
The proposed Cannabis Dispensary location sparked controversy among residents who voiced strong objections during the meeting. Many argued that the site was too close to residential homes and churches, raising concerns about community impact. “The proximity of those two church properties and that neighborhood right there makes it an unwise location for a Cannabis Dispensary,” one resident said during public comments.
Others at the meeting opposed the idea of having any Cannabis Dispensary in Jackson County, pointing out that nearby towns such as Parkersburg, Sissonville, and Charleston already provide access to medical cannabis. “Why do we have to have one in our county too?” asked one speaker.
Pastor Grant Garber of Ripley Baptist Temple, whose church property sits just 900 feet from the proposed site, applauded the board’s decision. “Our desire is to impact the community for good and for morality,” Garber said. “A Cannabis Dispensary so close to our church could affect our ability to do that.”
However, not everyone agreed. Supporters of medical cannabis, including local advocate Cate Poling, expressed disappointment over the outcome. “For people who rely on cannabis for health reasons, the rejection of this Cannabis Dispensary is a major setback,” Poling said. “In Jackson County, a denial now often means a denial forever.”
“Right now, Jackson County is a dispensary desert,” she added. “Without a local Cannabis Dispensary, patients don’t have equitable access to their medication.”
Some residents urged the community to look at medical cannabis with an open mind. “If you look at it from a medical and compassionate perspective, a Cannabis Dispensary can change people’s lives,” one attendee said.
West Virginia State Senator Kevan Bartlett (R-Kanawha), who attended the meeting, praised the health board for reflecting the community’s wishes. “The board listened to every opinion, considered all concerns, and made a decision that aligned with local voices opposing the Cannabis Dispensary,” Bartlett said.
While the debate continues, the Jackson County decision underscores the challenges of balancing medical access and community comfort as more towns across West Virginia confront the future of the Cannabis Dispensary industry.
