West Virginia has collected $34 million from its medical cannabis program. It hasn’t spent a penny.

OG article by Nicole Blevins

October 22, 2025

West Virginia's medical cannabis program, launched in 2021, has generated approximately $34 million in taxes, licensing fees, and interest, but the funds remain unspent due to federal illegality of cannabis, with banks unwilling to handle the money; the funds are held at Element Federal Credit Union under the state Treasurer’s Office, which states they cannot be allocated until federal law changes.

State law mandates the revenue be used for a medical cannabis research program, substance use disorder resources, and law enforcement training, but delays in program rollout stemmed from banking issues, resolved only in 2019 by allowing credit unions to hold funds; lawmakers like Del. Mike Pushkin and Sen. Mike Woelfel were unaware of the unspent status and are now addressing it with Treasurer Larry Pack.

In contrast, neighboring states like Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Ohio are actively spending their cannabis tax revenues on designated programs, such as community reinvestment, drug and alcohol support, and general funds, despite similar federal constraints.

Potential uses for West Virginia's funds include $19 million for public health, $8 million for substance abuse initiatives, $6 million for justice services, and $1.5 million for law enforcement training; experts like former Health Officer Dr. Matthew Christiansen and nonprofit leader Elizabeth Shahan highlight how the money could address addiction treatment gaps, youth prevention programs, and cannabis use disorders amid declining federal funding.