U.S. Virgin Islands
Regulatory Framework
The Virgin Islands Office of Cannabis Regulation (VI-OCR) oversees the entire adult-use and medical cannabis industry in the USVI. It is responsible for licensing and establishing regulations for product safety, labeling, and marketing [1]. The Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs (DLCA) houses the VI-OCR and provides administrative support for its operations [2]. As of September 2024, adult use sales had not begun in the territory. The Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture has a role in regulating cannabis cultivation, as well as the industrial hemp commission [3].
Legal Status
| Market | Status | |
|---|---|---|
| Adult-Use | Legal | Act No. 8680 (2023) [4] |
| Medical | Legal | Bill No. 32-0135 (2019) [5] |
| Sacramental | Legal for registered adults [6] | |
| Homegrow | Up to 6 plants legal for patients only |
Track-and-Trace
The VI-OCR regulations require an "inventory tracking system" to monitor movement of cannabis products throughout the supply chain, but the specific system has not yet been implemented as of September 2024 [7].
Licensing
The VI-OCR is responsible for issuing licenses for all cannabis related businesses [7]. These include:
- Cultivation Licenses
- Manufacturing Licenses
- Dispensary Licenses
- Testing Facility License
- Research and Development License
In addition to a business license, medical practitioners must also be certified by the VI-OCR to recommend cannabis to patients [8].
Possession Limits
| Item | Possession Limit |
|---|---|
| Adults (recreational use) | 2 ounces of cannabis flower, ½ ounce of concentrated cannabis, 1 ounce of cannabis-infused products (edibles, topicals, etc.) [7] |
| Medical patients | 4 ounces of cannabis flower, 1 ounce of concentrated cannabis, 2 ounces of cannabis-infused products [7] |
Medical Cannabis
Patients can register with the VI-OCR to become qualified medical cannabis patients [7]. Qualifying conditions include:
- Cancer
- Glaucoma
- HIV/AIDS
- Hepatitis C
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Crohn's disease
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Parkinson's disease
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Severe nausea
- Autism
- Any condition for which a practitioner would prescribe an opiate for pain
- Any other conditions certified by a practitioner where the potential benefits outweigh the risks for the patient
Additional Resources
- Wikipedia: Cannabis in the U.S. Virgin Islands https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabis_in_U.S._Virgin_Islands
References
- [1] "Home." Virgin Islands Office of Cannabis Regulation. https://ocr.vi.gov/ (Accessed September 2, 2024).
- [2] "Homepage." Virgin Islands Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs. https://dlca.vi.gov/ (Accessed September 2, 2024).
- [3] "Industrial Hemp Commission." Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture. https://doa.vi.gov/industrial-hemp-commission/ (Accessed September 2, 2024).
- [4] "Act No. 8680 - Virgin Islands Cannabis Use Act." [VI-OCR Website]. https://ocr.vi.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/8680.pdf (Accessed September 2, 2024).
- [5] "Bill 32-0135 - The Virgin Islands Medical Cannabis Patient Care Ac." Virgin Islands Legislature. https://ocr.vi.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/32-0135-VI-Medical-Cannabis-Patient-Care-Act.pdf (Accessed September 9, 2024).
- [6] "Sacramental Organizations." ." Virgin Islands Office of Cannabis Regulation. https://ocr.vi.gov/sacramental-organizations/ (Accessed September 2, 2024).
- [7] "Approved Rules and Regulations." Virgin Islands Office of Cannabis Regulation. https://ocr.vi.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Approved-Rules-and-Regs-2024.pdf (Accessed September 2, 2024).
- [8] "Practitioner Information." Virgin Islands Office of Cannabis Regulation. https://ocr.vi.gov/practitioner-information/ (Accessed September 9, 2024).