The U.S. Virgin Islands, close to legalizing medical cannabis

The U.S. Virgin Islands are an unincorporated U.S. territory consisting mainly of three islands. Inhabitants are considered U.S. citizens, but do not have federal voting rights. Like every U.S. state, the Virgin Islands have their own government and Parliament. The latter, a Senate of just 15 members, is currently debating the question of the medical marijuana and is due to vote today to approve a law legalizing it.

After years of waiting and stalling, Senator Nelson, the bill's sponsor, managed to push it through. In the space of two weeks, the bill passed through two key committees: Economic Development and Agriculture and that of the Law and the Judiciary. It must now be approved by the plenary session tomorrow and then presented to the governor, who has already expressed his support for the initiative.

What the law provides for

The law legalizes the production, processing and distribution of medical cannabis. It would regulate and protect the industry and ancillary sectors. It would allow patients to access the drug through a card system and for a variety of conditions including cancer, hepatitis C, AIDS, Crohn's disease, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and more. An amendment also included opioid addiction and autism. Other diseases can be added by petition to the Bureau of Cannabis Regulation, the regulatory arm of the Cannabis Council whose creation is provided for by law.

The nine-member Cannabis Council will be responsible for implementing the territory's medical cannabis program. The Council will have to meet at least six times a year, and will be made up of a member of the Ministry of Health, a member of the Ministry of Licensing and Consumer Protection, a member of the Ministry of Agriculture, as well as a farmer, two health professionals and an economist.

To apply for a producer, manufacturer or distributor license, applicants must have been residents of the Virgin Islands for at least 5 years. Most criminal records will have no impact on applicants“ eligibility. ”This gives people the opportunity to be entrepreneurs instead of drug dealers as we call them," explains Nelson. To prevent monopolies, applicants will only be able to hold one type of license at a time. Companies won't be able to both produce and distribute medical cannabis, for example. Production is limited to a maximum of 1,000 plants.