West Virginia Medical Cannabis Fund In Limbo

There is currently $34 million sitting in a West Virginia credit union waiting to be released for state use — funds that could soon benefit several vital programs across the state. According to the state treasurer, the money is tied to West Virginia's medical marijuana program but remains frozen due to ongoing legal and governmental conflicts.

Medical marijuana use is legal in several states, including West Virginia, but federal law still classifies marijuana as illegal. This creates a complicated situation for financial institutions handling cannabis-related funds. As a result, millions of dollars from the West Virginia medical marijuana program are sitting in a credit union, collecting interest while awaiting federal and state agreement.

"We passed a law that says it's okay, it's proper, it's legal, but federal law says, no, it's not. That's where the tension and friction come in," said Pack. The treasurer emphasized that until both levels of government reach an understanding, the money cannot be used for its intended purposes.

Once released, the $34 million will be distributed across three key areas within West Virginia. The first portion will support the Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) to operate the state's medical marijuana program. Currently, the DHHR is relying on other funds to keep the program running. Another significant portion is earmarked for substance use and addiction recovery initiatives programs that aim to help West Virginia residents overcome drug dependency.

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