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

Since the state’s first dispensary opened in 2021, West Virginia’s medical cannabis program has collected roughly $34 million in taxes, licensing fees and interest.

State law requires the money be used to create a medical cannabis research program, provide resources to residents with substance use disorder and fund law enforcement training.

But almost four years later, the money sits unspent.

Cannabis is still an illegal drug at the federal level. Traditional banks were unwilling to hold the state’s cannabis dollars, so they’re held at a credit union under control of the state Treasurer’s Office.

“The money in the fund will remain unallocated until federal law changes,” said Treasurer’s Office spokesperson Carrie Hodousek.

But other states with legal cannabis markets, including Maryla