Charleston, WV: State Treasurer Larry Pack says his office has begun allocating millions in marijuana-related revenue, despite the Governor’s opposition to the plan.
Since 2021, state officials have accumulated nearly $40 million in taxes and regulatory fees specific to the administration of the state’s medical cannabis access program. However, up until now, they have failed to allocate any of the money to fund research or other public health priorities, as stipulated by law.
Legislation compelling state officials to release the funds was recently vetoed by Republican Gov. Patrick Morrisey, who said that the state should reserve the funds for future use. Regardless, the Treasurer’s office is now moving forward with allocating the money – acknowledging that its allocation is required by state law.
Previously, the Treasurer’s office had claimed that the funds could not be spent because cannabis is a Schedule I substance under federal law.
More than 30,000 West Virginians are registered with the state to access medical cannabis products.
Additional reporting is available from the Mountain State Spotlight.