Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

40 farmers to be trained to grow marijuana - SFC Report

- Some 40 acres of land earmarked for marijuana cultivation @ Paraquita Bay
One concern raised by Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Carvin Malone (AL) is that the correct medical terminology is used when referring to this initiative. Photo: Internet Source
According to the 2020 SFC Report, the Government's plan is to train some 40 farmers to cultivate a special strain of the plant on 40 acres of land earmarked in Paraquita Bay. Photo: SFC 2020 Report
According to the 2020 SFC Report, the Government's plan is to train some 40 farmers to cultivate a special strain of the plant on 40 acres of land earmarked in Paraquita Bay. Photo: SFC 2020 Report
Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) indicated that a number of Canadian and American companies have made presentations to the Government and that research has been done to indicate a specific strand of marijuana that can be grown in the Territory. Photo: VINO/File
Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) indicated that a number of Canadian and American companies have made presentations to the Government and that research has been done to indicate a specific strand of marijuana that can be grown in the Territory. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - As the Government of the Virgin Islands (VI) prepares to enter the medical marijuana business, the plan is to train some 40 farmers to cultivate a special strand of the plant on 40 acres of land earmarked in Paraquita Bay.

This is according to the 2020 report on the deliberations of the Standing Finance Committee (SFC) released on Thursday, December 19, 2019, which noted that farmers will also be able to set up businesses as part of the initiative. 

Special strand will be planted 

This comes as Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) indicated that a number of Canadian and American companies have made presentations to the Government and that research has been done to indicate a specific strand of marijuana that can be grown in the Territory.

"The research also indicated how the farmlands can be used to grow it as well as how local persons can be involved in the process," with the report stating that a minimum of 40 persons will be hired.

Further, according to the report, along with the marijuana cultivation, a local lab will be established for testing purposes, with the projected $5M revenues set to exceed what is currently budgeted. 

One concern raised by Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Carvin Malone (AL) is that the correct medical terminology be used when referring to the initiative, "so as to indicate that the Government has not entered the marijuana business." 

Gov't to share in revenues 

The report noted that in reference to the projected $5M in the first year, Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) asked if the Government would be collecting the revenue for initiative via taxes or if the Government would be involved in the sale of the marijuana.

"The Premier stated that the Government will be doing a mixture of both. He said the Government will be selling to collect revenue and taxes. He explained that the farmers will be allowed to set up businesses and noted that when that happens, the Government will be involved with the sale of marijuana and the taxes." 

Projected breakdown of revenue will be as follows; Farmers – 5%, Retail – 20% and Taxes/Imports - 20% with the Premier promising more detailed information at the launch of the project.

29 Responses to “40 farmers to be trained to grow marijuana - SFC Report”

  • Mrs.Greenthumbs (20/12/2019, 14:02) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    WOW!!! That's my kinda a job lol
  • watchman (20/12/2019, 14:07) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    who going watch the watchman?
  • hah (20/12/2019, 14:15) Like (49) Dislike (2) Reply
    No need to be trained call up the ppl that were charged with growing marijuana.
  • Training? (20/12/2019, 14:15) Like (22) Dislike (0) Reply
    Im sure there are persons that are already trained!
  • RVIPF (20/12/2019, 14:30) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Apply within, experience an asset
  • Outsider (20/12/2019, 14:32) Like (10) Dislike (11) Reply
    Who we selling this to, not the USA? Dem already got their own market. Oh and Mike Tyson must be the instructor. This government needs to get serious. Go to Smugglers, sort out the National Park property, replant the Coconut garden to consume coconuts to drink and use other wise. We here buying byproducts from foreign. What a waste of my vote. I want it back!
  • Eagle Eye (20/12/2019, 14:57) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    I am convinced that from you is a politition you is far from reality.
  • ras (20/12/2019, 15:58) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    Jobs for the rasta man dem. This gov't all inclusive
  • lol (20/12/2019, 15:58) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    We born to grow that stuff..no training needed
  • Lolll (20/12/2019, 16:24) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    White man done “STRAND” the sinsemilla.
  • GG (20/12/2019, 16:34) Like (9) Dislike (8) Reply
    Look at what the government is funding. Instead of giving out full scholarships to credible medical schools to pay for students to become doctors or nurses. Or training people to grow food so we don't have to eat the unregulated scraps the US decides to sell us.

    • Medical Schools (20/12/2019, 17:56) Like (7) Dislike (13) Reply
      Medical schools ? Yea so they can come back here with false teaching and vaccinate the sheep’s with autism, do you know vaccines contains mercury, aluminums, aborted baby’s (heart, lungs, spleen etc) let the farmers grown natural produce
  • Yes (20/12/2019, 16:42) Like (9) Dislike (4) Reply
    FREE THE WEED
  • Jack o (20/12/2019, 16:49) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    I volunteer!
  • Local farmers (20/12/2019, 17:42) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Lets hope the people of the CARIBBEAN are included.

    What is with this practice of speaking to outside investors before one's own people. How is it that American & Canadian companies gave presentations before reaching into the knowledge of the Caribbean and the persons most affected by these changes.

    Even better would be inviting some Jamaicans to speak with the government and the people.

    Implement the changes needed for local persons to weigh in on this subject.

    AND WHY IS THE GOVERNMENT DIPPING ITS HAND INTO THE COOKIE JAR?! Legalization is a benefit for the whole economy. Tourist & spending equals more tax money. Look at how the USVI proposes to do it.

    The government doesnt need to sell weed directly. Thats a slap in the face to people with a record, or done time and to all the people who have had to live in fear.

    Control control control. Is this really the way to free the weed? A market filled with government product, the lesser evil?

    Better than nothing right?
  • LOL JOKE (20/12/2019, 18:13) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I SPEND ALL THE TIME GROWING FOR 5% THE GOVERNMENT 20% BIG JOKE ON THE NUMBERS
  • Curious (20/12/2019, 20:03) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    The projected breakdown accounts for 45% of revenue. What happens to the other55%. Forty farmers to produce 5 million in first year. One farmer produces one hundred and twenty five thousand dollars worth. 5% of which amounts to a little more than six thousand dollars something is wrong with this picture. As an original Rastaman who went through the fire and knows what it is to be in hell, let me teach you a few things upfront. Herb has a season like most other plants. You would need a temperature controlled greenhouse to maximize production. When in discussion about this it would help to have input from persons who have been there and done that. Look like Omar Hodge had a dream, well meh boy.
  • TJ (20/12/2019, 22:32) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    This is going to have problems.
  • Just a reminder (21/12/2019, 02:23) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    If usa say drink poison and said it good , we here so stupid that we drink it too while its killing us slowly and softly
  • wha bout we over here? (21/12/2019, 08:11) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Jost van dykes grows the best weed in the VI
  • Street Reporter. HA Casino (21/12/2019, 10:05) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    Great courageous move. I love leaders with vision and courage.. Great going Doc Wheatley... The Casino is next. I'm fed- up of been home nothing to do. Whenever I travel Casino is my hanging out spot. Dating liming it's a place I love to be. I love the Casino Vybz...it's fun. U go u put $40.00 only in your wallet. Drinks free. You lose u go home but you get part of your money bAck in free drinks... Nice Vybz..It's not all about gambling.. it's a good social Vybz.
  • Weed & Casino (21/12/2019, 10:11) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    The BVI getting socially and economically conscious...We sleep on tourism when we were the leader now we are behind... Competition is real.. Every leader's Job is go compete in the pool to increase their share or else we will continue in our backwards March..
  • sean paul (21/12/2019, 14:50) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Legal ize it time to recognize it
  • smoker (23/12/2019, 07:17) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    sounds like a plan but wat I hope is the those 40 workers hired government don't pay them $ 6.00 an hour
  • Tawdow (25/12/2019, 08:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

    You set of $@3&. We need food to eat. Marijuana can eat? If this was mentioned to a donkey he would drive kick in you all @345 TILL HE CAN FIND YOU ALL. You people sickening. UTTER BS.



Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.