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Gov't overwhelmed with persons looking to plant marijuana- Hon Wheately

- says security at Paraquita Bay cannabis farmlands will be high priority
As part of the VI's government strategy to create a viable medical marijuana industry in the territory, the plan to cultivate some 50 acres of land at Paraquita Bay with some 100 local farmers. Photo: Internet Source
Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr. the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley said with the VI Medicinal Cannabis Licensing Act, 2020 passed, the government is now being overwhelmed with requests from persons looking to become potential marijuana farmers.
Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr. the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley said with the VI Medicinal Cannabis Licensing Act, 2020 passed, the government is now being overwhelmed with requests from persons looking to become potential marijuana farmers.
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI - Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) said with the VI Medicinal Cannabis Licensing Act, 2020 passed, the government is now being overwhelmed with requests from persons looking to become potential marijuana farmers.

50 acres for 100 farmers 

As part of the government's strategy to create a viable medical marijuana industry in the Territory, the plan is to cultivate some 50 acres of land at Paraquita Bay with some 100 local farmers.

Speaking on the Monday, July 6, 2020, edition of the Umoja Show with Cromwell Smith aka 'Edju Enka', Hon Wheatley said the reasoning for Paraquita Bay being selected as the cultivation point was due to the ability to easily secure the area.

"There's an easy means of controlling traffic into Paraquita Bay, which will assist with some of the security concerns. There are persons who, if they had the opportunity, unfortunately, would steal and you don't want big tracks of cannabis to not be secured," he said. 

Farmers still to be selected - Hon Wheatley 

However, while the farmers have not yet been identified, he said the licencing authority will grant licences and will have an application process for persons looking to become potential farmers in the industry. 

"I've been overwhelmed with persons who said that they want to be one of those 100 farmers, so it's going to be a difficult process to select," Hon Wheatley said. 

He said the licencing authority still has to determine the criterium of the farmers, including regulations, what forms etc to be filled out to receive a licence. 

"Certainly we want persons who are cultivating to be BVIslanders, Belongers etc... we want to be able to dominate that particular area," Hon Wheatley said.

21 Responses to “Gov't overwhelmed with persons looking to plant marijuana- Hon Wheately”

  • My girl (07/07/2020, 13:11) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well they already know to plant it lol
  • Be Fair (07/07/2020, 13:12) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Select those persons who have been farming in the BVI for years - they will put in the work. They have been doing so with no support and very little reward for decades now - this is their time. That is fair.
    If they did not have a farming license before the bill was passed. Do not consider them.
  • Green Thumbs (07/07/2020, 13:12) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    LOL they shouldn't be surprised
  • Blind (07/07/2020, 13:47) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    Why not give the persons that were convicted for cultivation a chance to get a license also.
  • lol (07/07/2020, 13:47) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    What y’all expect if y’all legalized it
  • fahie (07/07/2020, 13:47) Like (9) Dislike (10) Reply
    So no to them island people only locals
    • island man (07/07/2020, 14:54) Like (4) Dislike (5) Reply
      We have more land in the islands so keep all you cannabis hope u don’t kill for it
      • @Island Man (09/07/2020, 11:36) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        If you have more land, go back there then, why you come here, you cant expect foreigners to have rights over the locals, come on now be real, i dont understand some people, you come into a next mans country/island and you want to talk shit, if your island is so much better why did you leave in the first place, Explain that, the fact of the matter is that your island is dreadful for whatever reason, thats why you leave for somewhere better, whos gonna leave for somewhere worst, dont be in denial now
    • consistent (07/07/2020, 15:00) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      I have to give you props. You are consistent with these comments. I couldn't see myself doing this everyday.
  • Farmers (07/07/2020, 13:57) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    beware, you are selling your soul to something that you may not get your intended price for....read the fine print verrrry caarefully and look forward to shelling out hundreds of dollars to the same guys that started Monsanto...look up Kentucky Gold.
  • Me (07/07/2020, 15:16) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Pie in the sky project.
  • Companies (07/07/2020, 15:26) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Focus on those that can come together. Work together create companies and build together... Not in favor of individuals.. lets dncourage companies. Let our peopme come together..
  • ? (07/07/2020, 16:52) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
    what about planting some food instead
    boy o boy it is not an easy road
    • Exactly (07/07/2020, 19:07) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
      I am waiting to hear of the serious revival of Agriculture for planting of food and raising of farm animals for food locally - don't let the shortage of imported food come and find the BVI lacking for food which could have been grown locally.
  • pat (07/07/2020, 19:15) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    The vip government is on the move
  • wow (07/07/2020, 19:18) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    So y’all excited bout planting medical cannabis but can we eat the cannabis what about planting food and raising livestock
    • Shhh.. (08/07/2020, 20:03) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      That's exactly what am saying, persons requesting land up there to plant food, they can't get it so is marijuana.. We all here to see the outcome.. Everybody going to be farmer now.
  • Plant food/raise cattle (09/07/2020, 13:16) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    A few commentors know what their talking about, concerning the planting of food and raising cattle, all this can be done here in the Bvi, but no, the GOVERNMENT realize that medical marijuana can be a business where they can make alot of money, thats one of the reason why they wanna get involved, Greedy Basturds, and theres SEWAGE water running in the street for years, Nastiness, The ISLAND IS STINK, but you GOVERNMENT want to plant Marijuana, and the island need building up, aint this meant to be a Tourist Attraction, thats why i never voted and will never vote, Government is useless 95% of the time, maybe more.


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