Trending
WHEELING -- West Virginia Sen. Bill Ihlenfeld -- a former U.S. attorney -- is reluctant to support the legalization of recreational marijuana in the state but said he will listen to all sides on the issue as he starts his freshman term in the Senate this week.
Ihlenfeld, D-Ohio, plans to draw on his expertise during the legislative session, which begins Wednesday. Talk about the legalization of recreational marijuana for adult use is likely to surface during the session.
"On marijuana … I'm going to be very careful with that issue," he said. "I am reluctant to agree with that (legalization) based on my experience as a prosecutor and father. But I won't say I won't listen to arguments, and I will gather as many arguments as I can.
"I will see how it has gone in other states before I make my final decision. I would need to take it slowly and gather as much information as I could before I would fully embrace it."
Ihlenfeld said he does support the legalization of medical marijuana, which was approved by the Legislature in 2017.
West Virginia's law only would allow prescribed cannabis to come in a form that can't be smoked or ingested. The prescription will come in the form of pills, oils, gels, creams, ointments, tinctures, liquid and non-whole plant forms for administration via vaporization.
"It's a pain relief alternative," he said. "If we have fewer people addicted to opioids, that's a good thing. But it won't make the problem won't go away."
As a federal prosecutor, Ihlenfeld prosecuted drug dealers and sought federal funding to help the state establish programs to curb opioid addiction.
He said he is excited to get started in the Legislature.
"I have never served in this capacity before," Ihlenfeld said. "It's going to be exciting to work in the Legislature, and I will try to get some things accomplished. My plan is to work across party lines to get things done. That's why the voters chose me, because of my willingness to set aside political bickering and roll up my sleeves and get to work.
"What I'm interested in presenting will have bipartisan support, and I'm optimistic there will be a lot of progress in this session."
Ihlenfeld said he will introduce legislation to repeal the state tax on Social Security benefits.
"There is too much of a tax burden placed on older West Virginians as it is," he said.
"I would like to see that tax eliminated. West Virginia is one among only a handful of states that imposes it. Eliminating it would stimulate the economy by putting more money in the pockets of West Virginians, and they would in turn spend more money in the state."
Ihlenfeld also wants to make good on a promise he made on the campaign trail to address corruption in Charleston.
"There are laws on the books that permit legislators to benefit from state contracts," he said. "I am working on legislation to address this, and make it so legislators cannot do that. I hope this will receive bipartisan support."
Thirdly, he will push for legislation enabling the West Virginia Division of Highways to better repair roads across the state.
"I'm making sure the Division of Highways has sufficient funding, and I am also working with the secretary of transportation and other members of the Legislature to see priority projects get done," Ihlenfeld said.
These would include projects to rehabilitate bridges along Interstate 70 in Ohio County, and extending I-68 from Morgantown to Moundsville, he said.
Ihlenfeld also intends to introduce legislation to raise the age for the purchase of tobacco products from 18 to 21.
"We have one of the least healthy populations in the country, and one reason for this is the use of tobacco by residents," he said. "If we make tobacco less accessible, that will be better for them and the state and we will end up with better health outcomes.
"If we do it now, we will see benefits in years to come. I have found willing partners to support this legislation and will push for it strongly."