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'Good progress' being made with UK on advancing Medical Marijuana in VI- Premier

- said matter was discussed with UK Minister Amanda A. Milling
The VI 'Medicinal Cannabis Licensing Act, 2020' was passed with amendments since June 30, 2020, in the Virgin Islands House of Assembly (HoA), however, the bill is yet to become law until it is assented to by the United Kingdom (UK) appointed Governor of the Virgin Islands (VI). Photo: Internet Source
Premier and Minister of Finance Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1), according to a press release from Government on March 22, 2022, expressed satisfaction that 'good progress is being made by the BVI and UK in advancing medicinal cannabis in the British Virgin Islands.' Photo: VINO/File
Premier and Minister of Finance Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1), according to a press release from Government on March 22, 2022, expressed satisfaction that 'good progress is being made by the BVI and UK in advancing medicinal cannabis in the British Virgin Islands.' Photo: VINO/File
Premier and Minister of Finance Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1), 2nd from right, has thanked Overseas Territories Minister The Right Honourable Amanda A. Milling, 2nd from left, and team for helping to move the process of resolving the holdup of establishing a medical marijuana industry in the VI. Photo: GIS
Premier and Minister of Finance Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1), 2nd from right, has thanked Overseas Territories Minister The Right Honourable Amanda A. Milling, 2nd from left, and team for helping to move the process of resolving the holdup of establishing a medical marijuana industry in the VI. Photo: GIS
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The VI 'Medicinal Cannabis Licensing Act, 2020' was passed with amendments since June 30, 2020, in the Virgin Islands House of Assembly (HoA), however, the bill is yet to become law until it is assented to by the United Kingdom (UK) appointed Governor of the Virgin Islands (VI).

The Virgin Islands Government views the medical marijuana industry as a viable revenue earner option; however, the UK has been stalling the establishment of the industry in the VI, even while the colonial power benefits from the same industry.

The UK, through the Governor’s Office, has given inconsistent excuses for not assenting to the bill.

Good progress being made

Premier and Minister of Finance Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) had noted in November 2021; however, that the UK had agreed to talks with the VI on the way forward. The Premier had recently returned from the UK where he attended a Joint Ministerial Council (JMC) meeting.

The matter of establishing a medical cannabis industry in the VI was discussed with UK Minister for Overseas Territories Rt Hon Amanda A. Milling, who was in the VI last week on the invitation of Premier Fahie.

According to a press release from Government on March 22, 2022, Premier Fahie expressed his satisfaction that “good progress is being made by the BVI and UK in advancing medicinal cannabis in the British Virgin Islands” and thanked Minister Milling and her team for helping to move the process forward.

No further details on the discussion were released to the media.

VI missing out on billion-dollar industry

During a statement to the media on February 11, 2022, Premier Fahie had reminded that medicinal marijuana is a billion-dollar industry worldwide now; however, the holdup of the bill is preventing the Virgin Islands from claiming a portion of this market.

“This is a potential new major revenue earner for the territory and no further unnecessary delays can be afforded,” he added.

Premier Fahie had reminded that discussions with the UK should ultimately lead to the VI establishing its medical marijuana industry and begin creating jobs and other revenue opportunities for people as well as creating new entrepreneurs in the VI.

13 Responses to “'Good progress' being made with UK on advancing Medical Marijuana in VI- Premier”

  • lost case (25/03/2022, 10:52) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Wishful thinking
  • Just saying (25/03/2022, 12:35) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Billion dollar business, all labour resource now needed to support the state owned marijuana company. Gold plated bathroom taps are already available at local stores.' Natures little secrets' is being replaced with "Getting High in the BVI"
  • VI Gyal (25/03/2022, 14:23) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Pure lies! he is saying all these thing for people stay committed to VIP for election.
  • ... (25/03/2022, 17:16) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Any progress is beneficial its almost a joke at the point. coming soon. anyyyy day now.

    At least he is persistent cant blame the premier for this delay.
  • @ VI GYAL (25/03/2022, 18:11) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Gal you got it right ✅ that BIG guy as he calls himself is tricky and he is surrounded with a set of people with the same mind , so we got screwed / just like the 3rd district member
  • E. Leonard (26/03/2022, 06:54) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Is there hypocrisy and a double standard occurring with the VI’s medical cannabis (CBD, cannabidiol) bill? Disclaimer: I’m not a medical professional so I have no expertise on the therapeutic benefits of CBD. Secondly, I also have no expertise on the CBD market so I will not offer any opinion on it becoming an economic pillar.

    That aside, the UK appears to be a major producer/exporter of medical cannabis and research shows that medical cannabis was legalized in the UK in 2018, though prescriptions issued for it are low. It seems also that a number of Britons may be in possession of Cancards. Further, medical cannabis/CBD is generally not a recreational drug (its THC, Tetrahydrocannabinol, is relatively low), ie, it’s used primarily for medicinal purposes. THC is the recreational drug that people used to get ‘high.’ Research also shows that the medical cannabis business is booming. Why is the Governor not giving assent to the medical marijuana bill?

    Moreover, the last time the Crown refused to give assent to a bill in the UK was in 1707 under the reign of Queen Anne in regards to the Scottish Militia. In the UK, the crown readily gives assent to bills duly passed by Parliament. Nevertheless, the Crown Rep in the VI refuses to give assent to some bills passed by the people’s duly elected HOA. Is it that the HOA is inept at crafting bills or is it hypocrisy, a double standard? Or is it something else, something sinister altogether? The anachronistic process of approving bills passed by the HOA should be an item on the agenda for the next constitutional review.
    • @E. Leonard (26/03/2022, 09:55) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      @E. Leonard, so no one will be getting on medical marijuana? So what is the fuss and delay about?Man waiting on the ting to be legalize. Strupes!!! On a serious note, it looks as if the UK is making money off medical marijuana, so why can’t the BVI? My question is how the the BVI going to differentiate itself to compete effectively against the big boys.
    • @ E. Leonard (26/03/2022, 20:59) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Not true! Small amounts of CBD are used along with higher levels of THC in order to reach the needed affect for said medical conditions. The CBD wakes up the receptors in the brain and allows the THC to fully do it's job. CBD alone helps some, but needs higher THC levels to properly treat patients. Pain management for cancer patients requires higher levels of THC. Most medical marijuana is WAY stronger than recreational marijuana. That's just a fact, not an opinion.
  • Hum (26/03/2022, 07:44) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    What is he smoking?
  • Doubtful (26/03/2022, 20:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I remember reading that they were planning to grow and then export. To where? Most place have laws that ban bringing in marijuana from outside to protect the true grade of the product. As well as to protect their own licensed growers. Also, only allowing it to be grown at a certain location that would be divided up and shared amongst approved growers. Why? If you are going to license growers. Why do you care if they grow it on their own land? No way would I grow on shared land. That just sets up growers to have their crops sabotaged by other growers who aren't doing as well. It's a highly competitive industry. It will be a total bust here in the BVI if not done and regulated properly.
  • @ E - LEN (27/03/2022, 08:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    BOI U REALLY NEED TO GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER , AND NO DISRESPECT , BUT WHAT ABOUT THAT FELLOW CALLED ( AGRIGCULTURE ) ARE GOING TO EAT / SLEEP / DRINK AND SMOKE WEED
  • Forbidden Truth (30/03/2022, 06:55) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    All who used marijuana is just to get a high. That too is stress it self.


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