Marijuana

Marijuana is the most widely available and commonly abused illicit drug in West Virginia. However, the drug generally is regarded as a lower threat than cocaine and diverted pharmaceuticals because it is less often associated with violent crime and property crime. Most of the marijuana available in West Virginia is produced in Mexico; however, a substantial amount is produced locally and in neighboring states by Caucasian local independent dealers and loosely organized criminal groups that are composed primarily of family members and close friends. Caucasian and, to a lesser extent, African American local independent dealers and loosely organized criminal groups, as well as OMGs such as Pagan's and local street gangs such as West Side Posse, are the principal transporters and wholesale- and retail-level distributors of marijuana in West Virginia. These dealers, groups, and gangs transport marijuana from southwestern states, Florida, and surrounding states, among other areas, to West Virginia primarily via private vehicles and, to a lesser extent, commercial vehicles and package delivery services. Marijuana typically is distributed from open-air drug markets, private residences and bars, and on college campuses. Caucasian local independent dealers and loosely organized criminal groups frequently transport locally produced marijuana from West Virginia to markets in surrounding states, such as Ohio and Maryland, and as far south as Florida.

Abuse

Treatment data indicate that marijuana is the most commonly abused illicit drug in West Virginia. The number of marijuana-related treatment admissions surpassed admissions for any other illicit drug in 1998, 1999, and 2000. The number of marijuana-related treatment admissions to publicly funded facilities remained relatively stable at high levels between 1998 (1,871) and 2000 (1,904), according to the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources. (See Table 2 in Overview section.) In 2000, marijuana accounted for 42 percent of the treatment admissions for illicit drug abuse. Members of all socioeconomic and age groups--teens, middle-aged professionals, and long-term, hardcore drug abusers, among others--abuse marijuana in West Virginia. Marijuana abusers in West Virginia typically smoke blunts (cigars filled with marijuana) and joints (marijuana cigarettes).

Survey data indicate that overall rates of marijuana abuse in West Virginia are lower than the national rate; however, abuse rates among youth are comparable to the national rate. According to combined data from the 1999 and the 2000 NHSDA, 3.5 percent of individuals aged 12 and over surveyed in West Virginia reported having abused marijuana at least once in the month prior to the survey, compared with 4.8 percent nationwide. According to the 1999 YRBS, 48.3 percent of West Virginia high school students surveyed reported having abused marijuana at least once in their lifetime, compared to 47.2 percent nationwide. In addition, 29.3 percent of West Virginia high school students surveyed reported that they had abused marijuana in the month prior to the survey, compared to 26.7 percent nationally.

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Availability

Marijuana is the most widely available illicit drug in West Virginia. Of the 28 law enforcement respondents to the NDTS 2002 in West Virginia who rated the level of marijuana availability in their jurisdictions, 27 indicated that availability was medium or high. Most of the marijuana available in West Virginia is produced in Mexico; however, a substantial amount of locally produced marijuana and marijuana produced in other states is available. Locally produced marijuana typically sold for $2,000 per pound in 2002, according to the Appalachia High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA). Statewide marijuana prices for 2002, including those for sinsemilla, as reported by the DEA Charleston Resident Office are listed in Table 6.

Source: DEA Charleston Resident Office.

The amount of marijuana seized by federal law enforcement officials in West Virginia increased each year from 1998 through 2001, before decreasing dramatically in 2002. According to FDSS data, federal law enforcement officials in West Virginia seized 4.1 kilograms of marijuana in 1998, 15.2 kilograms in 1999, 46.8 kilograms in 2000, 90.5 kilograms in 2001, and 7.3 kilograms in 2002. (See Table 4 in Cocaine section.)

There were more marijuana-related offenses for 2002 in West Virginia than offenses for any other illicit drug, except crack cocaine. The Division of Criminal Justice Services reported that 19.5 percent (301 offenses) of the 1,538 drug-specific offenses reported in the state for 2002 involved marijuana. Marijuana was the most frequently reported drug in 1999, but has declined from a high of 626 offenses to 301 in 2002.

The percentage of drug-related federal sentences in West Virginia that were marijuana-related was lower than the national percentage in FY2001. According to USSC data, 22 percent of drug-related federal sentences in West Virginia in FY2001 were marijuana-related, compared with 32.8 percent nationwide. (See Table 1 in Overview section.)

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Violence

Marijuana distributors in West Virginia occasionally commit violent crimes to protect their product and turf; however, marijuana abusers rarely commit violent crimes. Cannabis cultivators in West Virginia sometimes use booby traps and carry firearms to deter intruders.

Production

Cannabis cultivation is common throughout West Virginia, particularly in the southern counties of Boone, Cabell, Fayette, Lincoln, Logan, Mason, McDowell, Mingo, and Wayne. Caucasian local independent dealers and loosely organized criminal groups, composed primarily of family members and close friends, are the primary cannabis cultivators in West Virginia. Most cannabis cultivators use land in rural and mountainous areas. They typically use public land or land owned by other people to avoid property seizures and forfeitures. Locally cultivated cannabis usually is harvested in August and much of the marijuana produced is sold to local distributors and abusers as well as distributors in other states. The supply of locally produced marijuana typically is depleted by December, creating a demand for marijuana from other sources.

Outdoor cannabis grows are more common than indoor grows in West Virginia. According to DEA Domestic Cannabis Eradication/Suppression Program data, 688 outdoor plots were seized and 30,166 outdoor plants were eradicated in 2002, while 39 indoor grows were seized and 721 indoor plants were eradicated. (See Table 7.) The Appalachia HIDTA reported that the amount of cannabis eradicated in West Virginia in 2002 would have yielded plants valued at an estimated $61.8 million. This exceeded the value of every other cash crop in the state that year, except "other hay" valued at $64.5 million. Further, the DEA West Virginia domestic marijuana coordinator estimates that roughly 10 percent or less of the cannabis cultivated in West Virginia is eradicated each year.

Source: DEA Domestic Cannabis Eradication/Suppression Program.

Law enforcement reporting indicates that cannabis cultivators are using an increasing number of small grow sites, instead of larger grow sites. The DEA Charleston Resident Office reported in 2002 that federal, state, and local law enforcement officials typically had seized 1,000 cannabis plants per plot at outdoor grow sites, but cultivators are now dispersing their plants over a larger area, sometimes using up to 300 separate plots, each containing one to four plants. This tactic makes detection by air, as well as eradication, more difficult for law enforcement.

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Transportation

Caucasian local independent dealers and loosely organized criminal groups are the principal transporters of marijuana into West Virginia. To a lesser extent African American local independent dealers and loosely organized criminal groups, as well as OMGs such as Pagan's and local street gangs such as West Side Posse, also transport marijuana. These dealers, groups, and gangs transport marijuana from southwestern states, Florida, and surrounding states, among other areas, to West Virginia primarily via private vehicles and, to a lesser extent, commercial vehicles and package delivery services. Transporters often package marijuana with dryer sheets, yellow mustard seeds, coffee grounds, jalapeņo peppers, hot pepper flakes, cleaning products, or other materials to mask the drug's odor.

Out-of-state African American, Jamaican, and Mexican criminal groups, among others, as well as street gangs also transport marijuana into West Virginia, albeit to a lesser extent. Similar to the West Virginia-based transporters, out-of-state criminal groups and gangs transport marijuana from southwestern states, Florida, and surrounding states, among other areas, to West Virginia. Out-of-state transporters primarily use private vehicles equipped with hidden compartments, commercial vehicles, and couriers aboard buses and trains to transport marijuana to West Virginia.

Caucasian local independent dealers and loosely organized criminal groups routinely transport locally produced marijuana from West Virginia to surrounding states such as Ohio and Maryland, and as far south as Florida. These dealers and criminal groups primarily use private vehicles to transport West Virginia-produced marijuana to out-of-state locations.

Distribution

Caucasian local independent dealers and loosely organized criminal groups are the principal wholesale- and retail-level distributors of marijuana in West Virginia. African American local independent dealers and loosely organized criminals groups as well as OMGs and local street gangs also distribute marijuana at the wholesale and retail levels. To a lesser extent out-of-state African American, Jamaican, and Mexican criminal groups, among others, as well as street gangs distribute wholesale and retail quantities of marijuana in West Virginia. Retail-level marijuana distribution primarily occurs at open-air drug markets, private residences and bars, and on college campuses. 

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