West Virginia Lawmaker Pushes To Allocate Unused Medical Marijuana Revenue

Concerns over federal law compliance have left millions in cannabis tax revenue unspent in the state.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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A West Virginia state lawmaker has introduced a bill to allocate $34 million in unspent revenue from the state's medical cannabis program. The money has gone unused due to concerns over compliance with federal marijuana laws, despite numerous other states already spending their cannabis tax revenue. The bill would direct the funds to support the medical cannabis program, research, and addiction treatment.

Why it matters

West Virginia legalized medical marijuana in 2017, but the state has struggled to fully implement the program. This unused revenue could provide crucial funding for the medical cannabis program, research, and addiction treatment efforts in the state, if lawmakers can navigate the legal complexities around federal marijuana prohibition.

The details

Last October, it was discovered that $34 million from West Virginia's medical cannabis program had never been spent, despite state law prescribing specific uses for the funds. State Treasurer Larry Pack says his office is working to resolve the legal issues around spending the money. Del. Evan Worrell, R-Cabell, introduced a bill to allocate the funds to the medical cannabis program, research at state universities, and the Fight Substance Abuse Fund. However, House Finance Chair Del. Vernon Criss, R-Wood, is reluctant to advance the bill due to the legal gray area surrounding marijuana.

  • In October 2025, it was discovered that $34 million from West Virginia's medical cannabis program had gone unspent.
  • On February 16, 2026, Del. Evan Worrell introduced a bill to allocate the unused medical cannabis revenue.

The players

Del. Evan Worrell

A Republican state lawmaker in West Virginia who introduced a bill to allocate the $34 million in unspent medical cannabis revenue.

Larry Pack

The West Virginia State Treasurer, who says his office is working to resolve the legal issues around spending the unspent medical cannabis funds.

Del. Vernon Criss

The Republican chair of the West Virginia House Finance Committee, who is reluctant to advance the bill to allocate the unused medical cannabis revenue due to legal concerns.

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What they’re saying

“There were at least 20-some states doing this today, they don't seem to have a problem with it, and they're all spending it, right?”

— Del. Evan Worrell, State Lawmaker (Mountain State Spotlight)

“I think we're really close to getting it and making sure that money is available for the programs that it was intended for.”

— Larry Pack, State Treasurer (Mountain State Spotlight)

“The thought process was, how is that helping the medical cannabis program?”

— Del. Evan Worrell, State Lawmaker (Mountain State Spotlight)

What’s next

The bill introduced by Del. Evan Worrell will need to be considered and voted on by the West Virginia House Finance Committee before it can proceed to a full House vote.

The takeaway

West Virginia's struggle to fully implement its medical marijuana program has left millions in tax revenue unspent, despite numerous other states successfully allocating similar funds. Resolving the legal complexities around federal marijuana prohibition will be crucial for the state to utilize this revenue to support its medical cannabis program, research, and addiction treatment efforts.