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VI Govt & UK ‘found a way forward’ on medicinal cannabis – Premier Wheatley

Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has said the Virgin Islands and the United Kingdom (UJK) has found a way forward on medicinal cannabis and that work has begun to put the necessary regimes in place for approvals. Photo: Internet Source
Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) updating the public on his recent trip to the United Kingdom (UK). Photo: VINO
Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) updating the public on his recent trip to the United Kingdom (UK). Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI– Virgin Islands (VI) Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has revealed that the United Kingdom (UK) and the Government of the Virgin Islands (VI) have found a way forward as it relates to the legalisation of medicinal cannabis in the territory.

The Premier made the announcement in a One-on-One Press Conference with the media today, January 23, 2023. The press conference was to update the public on his recent trip to the UK.

“I was also very pleased that the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the UK Home Office had very good discussions with my delegation on medicinal cannabis, particularly with respect to licensing of medical practitioners in the Virgin Islands to administer medicinal cannabis to patients,” he said.

Dr Wheatley added that the VI has found a way forward on medicinal cannabis and that work has begun to put the necessary regimes in place for approvals, he said, while adding that he is grateful to the UK Government for their support in this area.

Talks in VI to commence soon- Dr Wheatley 

Meanwhile, while touching on the steps to be taken in the VI, Hon Wheatley said he intends as soon as possible to engage with the Governor's Office as well as his Cabinet colleagues as it pertains to how to approach legislation moving forward. 

“Of course, as you know, there was the Cannabis Licensing Act that was due for assent [by the Governor]. We [need to] have discussions as to whether that's the way that we want to go right now because we have legislation on our books that allows the Minister for Health to be able to create regulations that will essentially allow cannabis to be legally administered in the BVI,” he detailed. 

Dr Wheatley added that the UK Home Office is already supportive of the move and is interested in ensuring that the VI has the expertise and regime in place for the rollout of medicinal marijuana in a responsible manner.

“And that's something that we're committed to as well because, of course, we know that any substance can be abused and it's important that you have structures and regimes in place to ensure that that abuse doesn't take place here in the Virgin Islands,” he said.

It is unclear whether the way forward will also include the growing of marijuana plants on a large scale, as was the intention of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Government under former Premier Andrew A. Fahie.

The UK, through the Governor's Office, had refused to assent to the Cannabis Licensing Act, 2020, which sets the framework for the establishment of a medical marijuana industry in the VI.

22 Responses to “VI Govt & UK ‘found a way forward’ on medicinal cannabis – Premier Wheatley”

  • ... (23/01/2023, 15:26) Like (7) Dislike (30) Reply
    the best thing u could come back with is news bout weed....only Jah knows
  • IT'S HOME GROWN TIME (23/01/2023, 16:30) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
    WE GOING TO EAT , DRINK , SMOKE AND BATHE IN THE WEED , NOW WE CAN CLEARLY SEE THOSE HUTS YOU CALL FARMERS MARKET IS JUST TO BURN WEED AND WHEN THE SMOKE CIRCULATE AROUND THE TOWN WE ALL WILL BE STONED , PEACE and LUV BRO / PASS THE SENSEIMILLIA PON THE LEFT HAND SIDE , WE AH GO BUN ~ ????
  • I am deaf (23/01/2023, 17:01) Like (5) Dislike (4) Reply
    He talked about everything except elections
  • Native senior citizen of the British Virgin Islands1 (23/01/2023, 17:01) Like (6) Dislike (3) Reply
    In my opinion I don't believe that there are enough medical needs at this time to grow cannabis in the BVI. Like we import other medical drugs to and treat other medical problems, we can also import cannabis medical help for those that are in need without making medical cannabis seems like an urgent need.

    In reference to medical uses in the BVI, I am not against, but at this time, we have many other issues that need our immediate attention than the rush to legalize medical cannabis. However, what will be. Under democratic system, majority rules over minority.
    • batman (24/01/2023, 09:35) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      I think the main aim is export it and bring in a cash flow. Some may be for local use but it seems like their is a thought to exporting it.
    • ok (26/01/2023, 10:51) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Your reasoning is because we can import it, we should not grow it locally & sustainably. So because we can import fish we should not catch fish locally because it harms the marine population right?

      Because bananas are for sale you should not plant your own?

      This is why senior citizens should step down from politics. Unfortunately you are scared of cannabis for no reason except for the brainwashing that happened to your generation.

      Enough hesitation the people that want to use this as a medicine whether for simple depression & temporary pains needed it years ago. At this point its impossible to rush. Its late!

      Legalize or decriminalize the plant NOW. It was needed years ago for many of us.

      I know many people who have been eagerly awaiting this from the first announcement. Its been years from the first announcement and its past an urgent need as people are getting it off the street.

      Furthermore all that we could import is grown indoors. Many people do not prefer indoor. The price skyrockets and the quality drops hard. Indoor looks like rocks while outdoor looks like an actual plant.

      The Caribbean used to have a excellent reputation for cannabis but that all went out the door when we let the same people who made it illegal, rush to be the first to legalize.

      Your advocating importing from the countries that caused our peoples persecution.... rather than develop our own local cannabis culture.


  • Pure Buffery (23/01/2023, 17:47) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    you have got to be joking

    you have got to be joking
    you have got to be joking

    what bs you there talking about weed, is this your vision for the territory,

    weed?weed?
  • NATIVE CITIZEN (23/01/2023, 18:33) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ah guess the big YOUTH is still reading Saint Andrew's script •¿•
  • Poor Slaves (23/01/2023, 18:36) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    The slavery colonialism strangle hold on these islands sticks out like a sore thumb when compared to even the USVI.
  • WO (23/01/2023, 18:38) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    FIX THE DUMP
    THAT SHOULD BE YOUR PRIORITY
    DIFFENTE SMOKE BODY,YOU SMOKE TO MUCH
  • Undercover Observer (23/01/2023, 19:36) Like (2) Dislike (7) Reply
    The UK is the largest exporter of medical marijuana yet Brits have difficulty accessing it. Does the U.K. believe that medical marijuana have medicinal benefits if so why Brit patients cannot easily accces it. Is this hypocrisy? It can produce it for patients outside U.K. use but impose obstacles to Brits having easy access to it? It is ok for Brit companies to produce it for use outside of the U.K. but show disdain for use in country? The U.K. demonstrate hypocrisy across the board? For example, any bill passed by the duly elected U.K. Parliamentary is without hesitation assented by the crown yet in the BVI and other OTs bills passed the duly elected HOA can be not assented to. Double standard? Free the weed. Incidentally, medical marijuana is not recreational drug( not the type for getting high; little no THC). Medical marijuana is one of over 400 cannabis strains.
    • question (24/01/2023, 08:51) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
      Where did you get the notion that the UK is the largest exporter of medical cannabis? Where is it grown in the UK? Under what license or permit since cannabis is still a Class A drug there?
  • Pray warrior (23/01/2023, 19:44) Like (2) Dislike (6) Reply
    I begging begging ayo somebody anybody please please pray for this man

    Pray for this man he going off the deep end somebody please pray for he. You telling me he really run up to UK to talk bout weed and painkilla. Wtf man
  • TomCat (23/01/2023, 22:06) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Just to show you that it isn't truly about medicinal value, I bet they won't remove all the the which has no medicinal value and only allow the cbd strains. Cbd which is the non psychoactive ingredient is the only medical aspect of the plant. THC does not have the medicinal properties....... everybody who om the legalize it bandwagon just want to get HIGH.
    • ... (24/01/2023, 19:39) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Please dont start with that again. Both THC and CBD and CBG and THCV and alllll the rest of them have medical value. Please stop the ignorance when this thing needs to be legal yesterday. People have issues and we are wanting the meds!! No silly THC vs CBD talk plz
  • Woh (24/01/2023, 01:06) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Woh
  • Really (24/01/2023, 01:21) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Wake up people. They poison your food with pesticides, and rat poison and all kinds of chemicals now you want them to poison your weed Wow. All weed is supposed to grow with just water no chemicals and these government are putting what they put in the dead into your weed. The dumb masses are going to get killed one way or another. Get some knowledge people especially Now. The is a terrible idea fight to keep natural weed
  • Stay out of our business! (24/01/2023, 07:10) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    We are doing fine getting our own weed. We do not need the government in this!
    The law was passed by Head Coach. Why do you think he did that?? To get his cut!
    This government is so corrupt. Letting it decide who gets to sell weed and then arresting people that grow on their own is wrong. So wrong. Think about this people.
    We have plenty of weed in BVI. Plenty good. Price good. Please don't screw this up too!
    • Hmm (24/01/2023, 19:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Nah we dont have good herb. we have a few people with hit or miss products and the rest with imported stuff that goes for crazy prices and is horrible compared to local grown. We have lot of hemp.

      Fact is everyone should be able to grow it not the few people who want to resell. That alone would lift such a financial burden off the whole VI.
  • Ho,ho (24/01/2023, 07:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The previous one was cocaine
  • Arrion (24/01/2023, 08:26) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    For medical weed: People have been growing it in their pots inside their houses for years, so the locals don't need it.
    For income weed: When tourists come here, they are always asking for some, so money is already being made.
    For legalized weed: It has been long overdue and the people in prison for it should all be released for selling it even
    though it was not legal when they were arrested. Free up the space for hardened criminals now.
    Now, the real issues I want to hear about are gun crimes, Pockwood Pond incinerator pollution, infrastructure fixing these horrible roads, homelessness, hunger, school violence bullying control, inflation going through the roof, scooter riders being made to have plates insurance obey driving rules on the road just like other vehicles, animal control by owners of cows and goats destroying properties, dogs to the beach before the allowed times and made to clean up poop their dogs made. If everyone respected and cleaned their own yards our islands would look so presentable for our own eyesight not just for tourists. RESPECT YOURSELVES first!


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