SAN JUAN (AP):
The US Virgin Islands (USVI) has authorised the recreational and sacramental use of marijuana for anyone 21 and older, joining several nations across the socially conservative Caribbean that have relaxed their cannabis laws.
The move has been several years in the making, with USVI officials travelling to Colorado to meet with cultivators, manufacturers, law enforcement and others to learn about the industry before Gov Albert Bryan Jr signed the bill Wednesday.
“We are bringing the opportunities to you, but you must also do your part to seize these opportunities,” Bryan said, referring to the cultivation, manufacture and sale of marijuana in the US territory.
Bryan added that his administration will expunge the records of those convicted of simple cannabis possession if they are eligible, saying that some 300 people in the US territory of 105,000 inhabitants have been convicted in the last 20 years.
“It is my goal to make sure many of us who have been negatively impacted by the criminalisation of cannabis are afforded every opportunity to participate in this new and legal cannabis industry,” he said, adding that the government will provide entrepreneurship and job training.
The USVI previously approved marijuana for medicinal use in 2019.
The new law allows those 21 and older to possess up to two ounces of marijuana, a half ounce of concentrate and one ounce of products such as edibles for recreational, sacramental and other uses.
Medical marijuana patients are allowed to possess up to four ounces of cannabis, one ounce of concentrate and two ounces of products.
Under the new measure, cultivation permits will be awarded to those who use marijuana for sacramental purposes.
Dispensaries will apply a tax of at least 18 per cent on all sales, although medical marijuana patients are exempt, according to the newly approved law.
Three-fourths of the tax revenue will go to the general fund. Of that amount, 15 per cent is earmarked for behavioural health programs, five per cent to address homelessness, and five per cent for youth programmes.
It wasn’t immediately clear when the regulations of the newly approved industry would be in place. The Office of Cannabis Regulations, which was created a year ago and held public hearings last year on proposed rules and regulations, could not be immediately reached for comment.