US Virgin Islands push for legalization of recreational cannabis

The US Virgin Islands made a significant push to put into effect a marijuana law, which had been stalled for a while before an advisory board approved a set of rules and regulations that delineate how the nation wishes to allow for the recreational use of cannabis.

This is seen as a significant step in the progression of the US Virgin Islands, as the territory looks to legalize recreational cannabis just as many American states already have. The benefits of taking this step are not limited to its social impact alone but also extend to the economic benefits of opening the territory to such a market.

Even though the law was approved a year ago, the board’s vote of confidence in this initiative was important as it now allows the US Virgin Islands to implement it, after a long delay.

As expected, a public comment period on the proposed regulations and rules is meant to begin soon and last for 30 days, to facilitate an open dialogue between the public and the government before the system is put into place for good.

Dr Catherine Kean, the advisory board’s chairperson, stated the following, “We have been waiting a very long time for this.”

Interestingly, the law would also allow the board to prepare a list of individuals who have been booked for the possession of cannabis and expunge their records. This has also been received quite well for the most part and is seen as an important step in the rehabilitation of such individuals.

Eventually, the list will be made available to the Supreme Court, legislators and other relevant authorities which will allow them to make an informed decision on the matter.

Over the span of the past 20 years, roughly 300 individuals have been booked for the offense of simple marijuana possession, which is a significant number considering the size of the territory and its population.

Hannah Carty, the board’s Executive Director, made it clear that a registration system has been put into place and is currently assessing how many people use marijuana for medical or sacramental purposes. This data will be available in April adding to the information that is at the disposal of both the authorities and the public.

It has also been said that religious and faith organizations will pay $200 in the form of a registration fee, while medical practitioners will pay $250, to register for the period of two years.

Carty added that the government has already completed a request-for-proposal process for seed-to-sale operations and that registrations for businesses will open in June or July.

The US Virgin Islands approved marijuana for medical use in 2019 but it took until January 2023 to get similar legislation approved for recreational use. The delay is down to the time it took to word the bill and a lack of members for a quorum in the Cannabis Advisory Board.

Under the current parameters, the law allows individuals to possess up to two ounces of marijuana, a half-ounce of cannabis concentrate and one ounce of products such as edibles which can be for sacramental, recreational or any other form of use.

Four ounces of cannabis, one ounce of concentrate and two ounces of products are allowed for patients who require medical marijuana.

The law also stipulates that all dispensary sales will be subjected to an 18% tax at the minimum, although medical marijuana users will be exempted. This will support the economic efforts of the government as three-fourths of the tax revenue will go towards the general fund.

Out of that portion of the proceedings, 5% will be used to tackle homelessness, 5% for youth programs and 15% will be used for behavioral health programs.

It has also been said that patients who require medical marijuana will be issued digital IDs via their phones and can acquire printouts for their convenience.

Antigua and Jamaica decriminalized the recreational use of marijuana and the US Virgin Islands became the latest to join that list in the Caribbean.

Authorities in the Bahamas are currently debating several bills that look to legalize marijuana for religious and medical use while also decriminalizing possession of small amounts.

The Cannabis Advisory Board of the US Virgin Islands was pleased by the progress that the nation has made in this field. Richard Evangelista, a member of the board, stated the following, “The train is ready to leave the station. All passengers are on board.”