Medical cannabis dispensaries in Charleston operate under West Virginia Code Chapter 16A and city zoning that restricts locations relative to schools and churches. Recreational cannabis remains illegal statewide.
West Virginia legalized medical cannabis through W. Va. Code Chapter 16A in 2017, with dispensary sales beginning in 2021. Operators must hold a state Office of Medical Cannabis permit. Charleston layers zoning controls requiring dispensaries to locate in commercial or industrial districts and maintain buffer distances from schools, churches, and parks. Local approvals through Municipal Planning Commission and the standard business license process are required. Recreational cannabis remains illegal under state law, and Charleston has no recreational regulatory framework. On-site consumption lounges are not authorized.
Operating a dispensary without state permit and city zoning approval can trigger closure, license revocation, and criminal charges under state controlled substance law.
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See how Charleston's dispensary zoning rules stack up against other locations.
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