Bill Text: WV HCR154 | 2015 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study the financial implications and benefits of the cultivation and sales of marijuana to be sold only in states where sales are legal
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 21-4)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-03-14 - To House Health and Human Resources [HCR154 Detail]
Download: West_Virginia-2015-HCR154-Introduced.html
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 154
(By Delegates Reynolds, Pushkin, Byrd, Hornbuckle, Sponaugle, Caputo,
Eldridge, Ferro, Fleischauer, Fluharty, Folk, Guthrie, Hartman, Howell,
Longstreth, Manchin, Moore, Morgan, Pasdon, Perdue, Rowe,
Skinner, Storch, Trecost and H. White)
Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study the financial implications and benefits of the cultivation and sales of marijuana to be sold only in states where sales are legal.
Whereas, The State of West Virginia has experienced great difficulty in generating needed revenue to yield a balanced budget in fiscal years 2014, 2015 and 2016; and
Whereas, The state has relied on temporary sources of revenue in attempts to close large budget gaps, and cannot continue to rely on "one-time" revenue sources, such as severance taxes due to their erratic and unpredictable nature; and
Whereas, The cultivation of marijuana and its legal sales could lead to enhanced prosperity of the State of West Virginia by creating jobs, generating revenue through its taxation, encouraging tourism and fostering economic diversification; and
Whereas, Since its legalization in Colorado, the excise tax on marijuana has produced $2.35 million in revenue that has gone to fund public improvements such as schools and their facilities; and
Whereas, Over 146 million people in the United States reside in a state where some form of marijuana is legalized; and
Whereas, With proven, far-reaching financial benefits, the cultivation of marijuana could greatly foster economic growth in West Virginia; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the cultivation and legal sales of marijuana as a potential solution to budgetary issues, and also study how such sales and cultivation could serve as a means by which West Virginia could reap economic benefits and growth; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates forward a copy of this resolution to the Department of Agriculture and to the Commissioner of Agriculture; and be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2016, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.
