Governor refuses to give details on hold-up of Marijuana Bill
Passed since July 2020 by the democratically elected members of the Virgin Islands House of Assembly (HoA), the Cannabis Act has now been with the Governor for several months awaiting assent.
Marijuana bill being considered - Governor Jaspert
An important aspect of the bill is that it essentially paves the way for the territory to establish a new medicinal marijuana industry, one that must be backed by legislation.
Two other pieces of legislation in the hold-up, is the Advance Passenger Information Act, 2020, passed in June and the Drugs (Prevention of Misuse) (Amendment) Act, 2020, passed in July of 2020.
“On the marijuana one, that is something that I am considering very carefully as you would expect and would also understand anything that I am discussing, I'll do first to Cabinet prior to here,” the Governor said when questioned on the reasons for the holdup at a press conference held Thursday, December 3, 2020.
Governor dodging questions
However, when questioned again on the specific holdup of the marijuana bill, the Governor provided a vague answer, while ultimately dodging the question.
“On those bills, these are important bills. It's important we consider them properly and it's important that... I consider them fully before giving assent, that’s something I’m doing and then you'll respect that any conversations I have will be with the Premier and with Cabinet.”
According to Governor Jaspert, the bills are new and it is justified that he should get the opportunity to consider them fully and raise issues with Government and the Cabinet before anything is brought to the public.
Economy losing money - Premier Fahie
Meanwhile, Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) had months ago said the Governor’s hold-up is now costing the VI’s economy and impacting job creation that should have emerged from the medical marijuana industry.
“It's holding back our economy and also putting our economy under strain in an era that it should not have been, because more revenue should have been coming into the economy from before if this was assented to,” Premier Fahie said in an interview with 284 Media on Friday, October 9, 2020.
The issue has further heightened calls for a new round of constitutional review in the Virgin Islands, one that could limit the powers of the Governor over decision already approved by the House of Assembly through the legislative process.
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27 Responses to “Governor refuses to give details on hold-up of Marijuana Bill”
He’s incompetent beyond belief. Even his own office can’t stand him! Driving them to chain smoke & drink!! That’s all we see them doing!!
GET SOMEONE COMPETENT IN NOW!!
I am pretty certain that this Government were told that the UK did not want them to legalise wees because it would set a precedent for other OT's..
some using this platform chatting piss should continue thanking God for this little place some have nothing where their were born but come road town full of hate !!!!
After a bill is approved by the HOA, it has to be assented to by the Governor before becoming law. The following is the process under the VI constitution:
Assent to Bills
79.—(1) A Bill passed by the House of Assembly shall become a law when—
(a) the Governor has assented to it in Her Majesty’s name and on Her Majesty’s behalf and has signed it in token of such assent; or
(b) Her Majesty has given Her assent to it through a Secretary of State and the Governor has signified such assent by proclamation published in the Gazette.
(2) When a Bill is presented to the Governor for assent the Governor shall declare that he or she assents to it or that he or she reserves the Bill for the signification of Her Majesty’s pleasure; but unless the Governor has been authorised by a Secretary of State to assent to it, the Governor shall reserve for the signification of Her Majesty’s pleasure any Bill which appears to him or her, acting in his or her discretion—
(a) to be inconsistent with any obligation of Her Majesty or of Her Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom towards any other state or power or any international organisation;
(b) to be likely to prejudice the Royal prerogative; or
(c) to be in any way repugnant to or inconsistent with this Constitution.
Moreover, where is the bill in the assenting process? The Governor needs to act or get off the p..e. Further, the Sovereign normally assents to bills passed by both the House of Commons and House of Lords. The last bill that was supposedly refused assent by the Sovereign was the Scottish Militia Bill during Queen Anne’s reign in 1708. Assenting seems to be routine on bills passed by both Houses so what is the problem in the VI? With the next constitutional review, assenting of bills should be on the agenda.