Legal Opinions on Cannabis In West Virginia

Cassidy N. Wetz*, Erin Hudnall, Katie Corcoran, Ph.D.
Department of Sociology & Anthropology, West Virginia Univeristy, Morgantown, WV 26505

Presentation Category: Social & Behavioral Sciences (Poster presentation)

Student’s Major: Sociology & Anthropology

High rates of incarceration for cannabis possession may be due to social misconceptions of the plant and its effects. To exemplify this disproportionate trend in criminal justice related to convicting cannabis-related crimes: In 2018, 46% of drug possession charges were for marijuana. This research assesses cannabis conceptions of legal professionals to determine how legal ( 1) practitioners understand the current legal precarity of the substance. Garnering a better understanding surrounding this plant, and bridging the gap between the public and academics, will involve interviewing legal professionals of West Virginia. The study’s research methods will involve conducting in-depth interviews and using thematic analysis and coding of those interviews. This process will provide a greater insight into West Virginia’s relationship to the legality of cannabis, coming directly from legal professionals who reside here. Gaining insights from this specific population is beneficial because they have first-hand experience and knowledge that the general public may not otherwise have access to. Understanding the reasons why cannabis may have such negative connotations and breaking down those misconceptions would aid in a better understanding of the plant and its potential benefits.j (1) Drug War Statistics (2018). Retrieved February 28, 2020, from http://www.drugpolicy.org/issues/drug-war-statistics).

Funding: Federal Work Study

Program/mechanism supporting research/creative efforts: WVU's Research Apprenticeship Program (RAP) & accompanying HONR 297-level course