Government House says cannabis sales and use remained prohibited in U.S. Virgin Islands pending regulations

Government House said on March 16, 2023, that cannabis sales and most cannabis use remained prohibited in the U.S. Virgin Islands pending completion of regulations required under the Virgin Islands Cannabis Use Act.

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. signed the law, Act 8680, on January 18, 2023. Government House said the law allows medicinal, sacramental and adult cannabis use and regulates the production, distribution, sale and use of cannabis, but could not be fully enacted until the Office of Cannabis Regulations completed rules and regulations and other required steps.

Until that process was completed, Government House said the use and sale of cannabis remained prohibited under Virgin Islands law. It said simple possession of cannabis had been decriminalized across the territory.

Government House said hemp-derived cannabinoids including CBD, CBN and THC containing less than 0.03%, hemp products, commercial hemp cultivation licensed through the Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture, and sales of hemp products licensed through the Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs were allowed under law.

It said possession of up to one ounce of cannabis or its concentrates carried a $100 fine. Private consumption, adult-use, medicinal patient use, sacramental use, sales, transporting and distributing cannabis also remained prohibited until the regulatory process was completed.

Government House said the rules and regulations must be completed, reviewed by the Cannabis Advisory Board, submitted to the Virgin Islands Department of Justice, released for public review and input, voted on by the advisory board, and signed by the governor before public use and sales could begin under the law.

It said that after the rules took effect, possession and consumption of cannabis at federal facilities, public consumption, and personal transportation of cannabis between islands would remain prohibited under Virgin Islands law.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/government-house-clarifies-status-of-cannabis-use-in-the-territory/