This bill proposes amendments to the allocation of proceeds in the Medical Cannabis Program Fund as established in the Code of West Virginia. It introduces a new provision stating that the funds available as of June 30, 2026, will revert to general revenue for appropriation. Starting July 1, 2026, the allocation of funds will be significantly altered, with 15% designated for the Office of Medical Cannabis for administrative purposes, and another 15% allocated to the Department of Agriculture for testing of medical cannabis at the West Virginia State University lab.

Additionally, the bill reallocates the remaining funds, with 50% directed to the Fight Substance Abuse Fund, 10% to Marshall University for cannabis research, and 10% to West Virginia University's Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute for substance use disorder research. This new allocation replaces previous provisions that allocated funds to local law enforcement agencies and professional training programs. The overall aim of the bill is to enhance the effectiveness of the Medical Cannabis Program Fund by redirecting resources towards research and substance abuse initiatives.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 16A-9-2