Governor Albert Bryan has signed the Virgin Islands Cannabis Use Act, which allows persons over the age of 21, to use marijuana for recreational, medicinal and religious purposes, into law.
The territory joins 22 US jurisdictions in legalising recreational marijuana use.
“This Act incorporates key aspects of my original proposal, such as one streamlined regulatory scheme for both medicinal and adult use, enforcement powers for the Office of Cannabis Regulation, entrepreneurship and job opportunities for Virgin Islands residents, and the creation of a revenue stream to help fund critical Government initiatives and operations,” Bryan said as he signed the law, which was passed late last year, into law.
Under the law, adults can possess up to two ounces of marijuana and one ounce of cannabis products.
The governor also signed a proclamation that allows persons convicted of simple possession of marijuana to apply for a pardon through the Virgin Islands Department of Justice.
Persons convicted for simple possession of up to 2 ounces of marijuana, will have their conviction expunged under the Virgin Islands Cannabis Use Act and the Expungement Act that accompanies the Cannabis Act.
Approximately 300 individuals have been convicted of the simple possession of marijuana in the last 20 years, according to Bryan.
The Governor encouraged Virgin Islanders to seize opportunities that will be created from this new industry.
“We are bringing the opportunities to you, but you must also do your part to seize these opportunities. It is my goal to make sure many of us who have been negatively impacted by the criminalization of cannabis are afforded every opportunity to participate in this new and legal cannabis industry,” Bryan said. (Loop News)
