Ukrainian immigrants open pharmacy in West Virginia

Ukrainian immigrants looking for a better future are taking advantage of medical cannabis opportunities in several states.

The Herald-Dispatch reports that two Ukrainian immigrants are the owners of a new pharmacy opening in Huntington, West Virginia. Although one of the operators emigrated to the United States decades ago, they proudly support their homeland in the fight against Russian forces.

According to the Department of Homeland Security, over 271,000 Ukrainian refugees have been admitted to the United States since February last year since Russia invaded Ukraine over a year ago. 117,000 of those came through the Biden administration’s Uniting for Ukraine program, which allows Americans to sponsor Ukrainians.

Huntington Gardens co-owner Frederick Bartolovic, a professor in the art department at Marshall University, and his partner Michelle Strader painted a Ukrainian-inspired mural in yellow and blue on the building to show their support for the homeland. Co-owner Rita Tsalyuk, a cannabis entrepreneur and Ukrainian native, left her country over 30 years ago but is calling attention to the injustices of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Some immigrants are working their way into the cannabis industry in several states, including West Virginia. Kayla McClaskey told the newspaper that she is opening a new pharmacy in Huntington for Colorado-based multi-state operator Yuma Way.

“Huntington Gardens at 1338 3rd Avenue should be open by mid-October,” McClaskey told The Herald-Dispatch. “We have not yet made a decision about our opening hours, but we will finalize this [once] Our inspections have been completed and we are close to opening.”

Senate Bill 386, signed by Governor Jim Justice on April 19, 2017, created the Medical Cannabis Act, allowing the use of cannabis for certified medical purposes. Huntington is the second largest city in West Virginia, and dispensaries are just beginning to open in the city.

“I’m sure the blue and yellow in the middle of Herd Country must be strange to see for some, especially at this time of year when it’s football season,” McClaskey said. “Rest assured, however, this is not a bold portrayal of the WVU Mountaineers. In fact, the owners of the new dispensary are Ukrainian immigrants who have lived in Colorado, California, Michigan, New Jersey and now here and have built many successful businesses in West Virginia.”

Members of the global cannabis community stand with Ukraine

High Times reported in April 2022 on the small but growing cannabis community in Ukraine that is standing strong with its country as the country resists Russian invasion.

One group, Freedom March, has been advocating for progressive drug policies since 2005, leading demonstrations for the legalization of cannabis in Ukraine and defending the rights of medical cannabis patients. Freedom March member Nazarii Sovsun says the majority of the group’s activists are involved in resisting the Russian invasion in some capacity.

Freedom March has launched a fundraising campaign called Cannabis Stands with Ukraine, soliciting donations from the global cannabis community and freedom lovers around the world. Donations to Freedom March will support the cause in collaboration with the Kyiv School of Economics Charitable Foundation, which has already purchased nearly $300,000 worth of emergency medical supplies for delivery to the region, according to transfer documents and invoices provided by Sovsun.

Reforms are also taking place on Ukrainian soil. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky last June urged lawmakers to legalize medical cannabis, saying the treatment could provide relief to people in the country suffering from the “trauma of war.”

Huntington’s first pharmacy

As it turns out, Berner was the first entrepreneur to open a pharmacy in the city as part of his large Cookies pharmacy chain, according to a Sept. 22 news release. Cookies opened their first cannabis dispensary in West Virginia on Saturday, September 23rd at 2689 5th Ave. in Huntington.

Cookies is partnering with local retailer Country Grown Cannabis to open Cookies Dispensary at 2689 5th Ave in Huntington on Saturday, September 23rd. Cookies also partners with West Virginia-based professional grower Harvest Care Medical to grow Cookies’ renowned cannabis strains.

“We have worked hard to ensure the highest quality product is ready for market, and we are pleased to offer Cookies products to the growing number of West Virginia patients in need of medical cannabis,” Berner said in a press release. “We can’t wait for West Virginia patients to enjoy our world-class staple menu and experience an unparalleled cannabis dispensary – an experience Cookies is proud to bring to West Virginia.”

The opening of Huntington Gardens and newest location in Cookies provides choices for city residents who benefit from West Virginia’s relatively new medical cannabis law.