West Virginia Governor Redirects Millions from Child Welfare and Homelessness to Drug Enforcement

Morrisey's last-minute veto overturns legislature's plans for $38 million cannabis tax revenue fund

Apr. 8, 2026 at 5:10pm

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A photorealistic painting of a stately government building in warm, golden light, with deep shadows across the facade, conveying a sense of political drama and uncertainty.The governor's controversial veto casts a long shadow over the future of social services funding in West Virginia.Charleston Today

In a controversial move, West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey vetoed a bill passed by the state legislature that would have allocated $38 million in cannabis tax revenue to various social programs, including $3 million for a new Child Protection Commission and $5 million to combat homelessness. Instead, the governor redirected the majority of the funds, around $21 million, to the Bureau of Public Health and the Division of Justice and Community Services' drug programs.

Why it matters

The governor's veto has drawn criticism from advocates who argue the funds could have made a significant impact on improving the state's struggling child welfare system and addressing homelessness. The decision also comes after the governor previously vetoed other bills aimed at supporting youth aging out of foster care, citing cost concerns.

The details

The $38 million in cannabis tax revenue had been sitting in limbo due to legal conflicts with federal banking policies. The legislature had voted to allocate the majority of the funds to research grants for state universities, as well as the new Child Protection Commission and homelessness programs. However, Morrisey's veto overturned those plans, redirecting 55% of the money to the Bureau of Public Health and the Division of Justice and Community Services' drug programs instead.

  • The $38 million cannabis tax revenue fund was created during Gov. Jim Justice's first term, around 2018.
  • The legislature voted on how to allocate the funds during the 2026 legislative session.
  • Governor Morrisey issued the veto in the final days of the 2026 legislative session.

The players

Patrick Morrisey

The current Governor of West Virginia, who issued the controversial veto redirecting the cannabis tax revenue funds.

Larry Pack

The West Virginia State Treasurer, who explained that the governor's veto meant the funds had to be allocated according to the original 2018 law rather than the legislature's 2026 plans.

Beth Scohy

The executive director of Daymark, a nonprofit that provides services for youth aging out of the foster care system, who expressed disappointment over the governor's veto of a separate bill that would have provided transitional living support.

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What they’re saying

“West Virginia must do better to plan for the future, and it can't totally pre-commit future revenue streams like this. It will do little to offset the long-term growth in the budget's baseline or to return more money to pockets of everyday West Virginians through future tax cuts.”

— Patrick Morrisey, Governor of West Virginia

“Kiddos that have been in the system for any time or for a long time may not have learned the skills to be independent… And so when they turn 18 and age out of the system, if they don't get those services, then they become more at risk for homelessness, increased incarceration, higher health care costs.”

— Beth Scohy, Executive Director, Daymark

What’s next

The governor's office has indicated they plan to implement a more cost-conscious program to support youth aging out of foster care within the Department of Human Services, though details have not been provided.

The takeaway

Governor Morrisey's decision to veto the legislature's plans for the cannabis tax revenue fund and redirect millions away from child welfare and homelessness programs has drawn sharp criticism from advocates who argue these funds could have made a significant positive impact on vulnerable West Virginians. The move comes amid broader concerns about the governor's priorities and approach to social services in the state.