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Marijuana regulations approved in USVI; UK still blocking VI’s Cannabis Bill

The newly approved regulations in the US Virgin Islands (USVI) provide a structured framework for both medicinal and adult use of cannabis. Photo: VIC
The Virgin Islands Medicinal Cannabis Licensing Act, 2020', was passed with amendments since June 30, 2020, in the Virgin Islands House of Assembly (HoA), however, the bill to date has never been assented to by the Governor. Photo: Facebook
The Virgin Islands Medicinal Cannabis Licensing Act, 2020', was passed with amendments since June 30, 2020, in the Virgin Islands House of Assembly (HoA), however, the bill to date has never been assented to by the Governor. Photo: Facebook
Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) said on February 26, 2024, that the government is 'still negotiating' its Cannabis Bill with the Governor's Office.' Photo: GIS/File
Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) said on February 26, 2024, that the government is 'still negotiating' its Cannabis Bill with the Governor's Office.' Photo: GIS/File
FREDERIKSTED, St Croix, USVI- In a significant step forward for the US Virgin Islands' cannabis programme, Governor Albert A. Bryan Jr has signed off on comprehensive rules and regulations governing the use and distribution of marijuana in the territory. Meanwhile, as the USVI motors forward with its cannabis laws, the United Kingdom (UK) continues to block the [British] Virgin Islands’ Cannabis Bill.

The newly approved regulations in the USVI provide a structured framework for both medicinal and adult use of cannabis.

This dual approach aims to facilitate recreational cannabis use under regulated conditions while ensuring its availability for therapeutic purposes. The regulatory environment “provides special protections and benefits to medicinal cannabis users,” said USVI Government House Communications Director Richard Motta during a press briefing on Tuesday, May 21, 2024.

Previously circulated in draft form for public comment, the regulations outline the process for obtaining various licenses and certifications necessary for participating in the cannabis industry. These include roles such as designated caregivers, prescribing physicians, licensees, third-party vendors, and consultants.

Automatic expungement of certain cannabis-related crimes

In addition to facilitating legal cannabis use, the regulations address past injustices related to cannabis convictions.

The new rules include provisions for the automatic expungement of certain cannabis-related crimes, allowing individuals who have been marginalised due to previous convictions to participate in the legal cannabis market.

UK hypocrisy?

The regulations are similar to what the [British] Virgin Islands Government was trying to achieve with its Medicinal Cannabis Licensing Act, 2020', which was passed with amendments since June 30, 2020, in the Virgin Islands House of Assembly (HoA), however, the bill to date has never been assented to by the Governor.

Since November 2018, medical cannabis has been legalised in the United Kingdom, where cannabis can be prescribed if no other licensed medicine can be of help to the patient.

Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9), speaking on ‘Da Morning Braff’ show on Tola Radio 100.5 FM on February 26, 2024, said the government is “still negotiating with the Governor's Office.”

Recently, British Billionaire and Virgin Islands' Belonger Mr Branson said he supports efforts to decriminalise, legalise and regulate cannabis in many jurisdictions around the world because he believes it will ultimately wrestle control from those in charge of the illicit market, reduce harm, and ultimately make people and communities safer.

17 Responses to “Marijuana regulations approved in USVI; UK still blocking VI’s Cannabis Bill”

  • IS THATS ALL (23/05/2024, 10:14) Like (11) Dislike (20) Reply
    YOU GOOD FOR ? CAN THE WEED FEED THE PEOPLE OF THE COUNTRY , EVERYTHING IS THE UK , THE UK THE UK OH MY GOD ITS TIME YOU THROW YOUR EVILNESS INTO THE GABBAGE , ALONG WITH YOUR WIG
  • LOOKS LIKE (23/05/2024, 10:34) Like (6) Dislike (5) Reply
    YOUR PLANTATION BROUGHT FORT SOME HEALTHY LOOKING BUDS , AND READY FOR THE MARKET , HOPEFULLY WE WIL GET A WEED FEST , " WE GINE EAT ~
    DRINK ~ and SMOKE IT " AMEN , IT WILL HELP TO CLEANSE OURSELVES FROM OURSELVES , WEED IS IT , WHO AIN'T WALKING ON WATER WILL BE FLOATING IN SPACE FROM THE NATURE'S NATURAL HIGH ✨️????
  • Oh Please (23/05/2024, 10:40) Like (23) Dislike (11) Reply
    Let's focus on fixing our infrastructure and good governance. Leave that Weed talk alone.
  • jack@$$ (23/05/2024, 10:42) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    They don't want us to compete with them and they will do all manner of delay tactics because this is inevitable. The edge of advantage that was there is already gone imo but we have other bushes and herbs with medical value as well and need to look at producing some of them in powdered form to trade. I also wonder openly if there isn't something we can go with the sargassum that is becoming an issue, whether there is value in culinary or medicinal use.
  • crazy (23/05/2024, 11:59) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
    The UK GOVERNMENT are absolutely bonkers mad, they cant even define what a women is, they arrest people for misgendering some one but let robbers and rapist walk free. Legalize weed and dont listen to the nutters from the UK.
  • UK Law (23/05/2024, 12:22) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    will apply here in 8 days so what's the problem??
  • Can a guy? (23/05/2024, 13:55) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    Can a guy get some legal herbs by the end of 2024? Im holding my breath since 2020. Premier, Governor, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Home Office, anyone??? Hellooo

    Can a guy pick their own seeds THC, CBD, both, Cookies, cheese, old school, new school, autoflower, photoperiod and stay in the garden not troubling another person?

    Can we have a place to gather that is non alcoholic & secure whereby police can visit without citizens running & tossing vegetables?

    Is the UK & local government going to sit by as usual while money flows to dealers that knowingly & unknowingly sell adulterated imported crappy mystery dusted herb and never grew a plant in their life?

    I dont blame the dealers for it all, the police & government officials played their part in arresting local farms over many decades to our cultural detriment, & stalling our cannabis Bill for years.

    Now it is likely easier for the dealers to buy crap produced abroad than buy local. It is scary time for that with fentanyl, synthetic cannabinoids, sprayed on terps, meth & all kind of adulteration crap proliferated.

    The dealers have no time for a plant to grow & no means to assure quality of what they import.

    Our people suffer because as cliche as it sounds... the stuff of this generation isnt what the last generation had access to. Theirs had sticks and seeds, this generation has weed that looks like chalk covered rocks.
  • Can a guy? (23/05/2024, 13:56) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Double post but these guys are not serious!!!

    Still negotiating? Pick any random rastaman off the street and let him negotiate because obviously you guys dont have the heart for it.
  • Pass deh (23/05/2024, 14:17) Like (7) Dislike (4) Reply
    This man concern about the UK not passing the weed instead of getting the place ready for hurricane season

    them need to be concern about the uk locking them friends up for those fake covid grants

    The government not concern about raising minimum wage but them crying over weed bill oh jeezz

    bvi not a real place mehson

    i concern about the cost of living, the bad roads, the bad infrastructure, the lack of price control, the open fire burning, water cutting off after 6pm in this modern day and age
  • lol (23/05/2024, 16:11) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    weed is the answer to everything smh.
  • Simon says (23/05/2024, 17:35) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    BVI government isn’t responsible enough. USVI is on the federal system where they can follow the pattern of states like Colorado, California etc. The BVI government just makes it up as they go along with a track history of leaders running the country like a narco state. Mmm….i wonder why the UK is holding back?
  • Herbs Powa (23/05/2024, 18:25) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ganja is always legal for me. No white or black man could change that.
  • g (23/05/2024, 19:50) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    I always ask my self what those people know about marijuana you all think rool some s**t in paper mr minister leave that thing alone oh
  • HEY NIGAH (23/05/2024, 22:26) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    LOOKS LIKE MY BLOGG TOUCHED YOUR HYPOCRITE SELF @ CRAZY ~JACK @$$ , SO YOU HIDE IT THOSE 2 NAMES REALLY SAYS A LOT ABOUT YOU AND WHAT YOU ARE DISPLAYING IN THIS NEW YEAR , AND ITS NO SUPPRISE , YOUR EGO IS IN THE WEIRD & WAKY MODE
  • El Demonio Negro (24/05/2024, 09:15) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Sorry for the BVI you all under those white satanist Epstein supporters and clients. They will legalize coke heroin before marijuana.
  • skuntington (24/05/2024, 10:54) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    an initiative like GROW (Antigua) would be great for the VI
  • DOSEN'T SOUND RIGHT (25/05/2024, 08:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    WITH ALL THE KNOWLEDGEABLE ARISTOCRATS WE HAVE HERE , ITS REALLY ALARMING THAT ( NONE OF THEM SRE UTTERING A SINGLE WORD ON AGRICULTURE , ITS LIKE WE HAVE TO BE SATISFIED WITH ALL THE ( GMO ) IN THE IMPORTED VEGETABLES ETC , WHILE THE LAND SITS IDLE , AS THEY SING INDEPENDENCE INDEPENDENCE INDEPENDENCE , BUT IS WILLING TO DIE TO HAVE THE HOLY WEED LEGALISIZED , AM SURE THE OUTER WORLD ARE LOOKING AT US A SET OF IDIOTS , WHATS SO FANTISTIC ABOUT OUR WEED , WEED IS EVERYWHERE


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