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SCB resident questions whether VI can make marijuana industry viable

- said VI getting into the marijuana industry is something that interests him but he knows little about it
This resident of Sea Cows Bay was curious to know if the Virgin Islands has the capacity to make the marijuana industry a viable one. Photo: VINO
Some of the persons at the public forum at the Valerie O. Thomas Community Centre in Sea Cows Bay, Tortola, on Thursday, January 30, 2020. The meeting was called by Third District Representative, Hon Julian Fraser RA. Photo: VINO
Some of the persons at the public forum at the Valerie O. Thomas Community Centre in Sea Cows Bay, Tortola, on Thursday, January 30, 2020. The meeting was called by Third District Representative, Hon Julian Fraser RA. Photo: VINO
Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) recently announced that 100 Virgin Islanders would receive half-acre lots to cultivate and produce medicinal marijuana in Paraquita Bay, while plans are afoot to change the existing laws pertaining to marijuana in the Virgin Islands. Photo: Internet Source
Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) recently announced that 100 Virgin Islanders would receive half-acre lots to cultivate and produce medicinal marijuana in Paraquita Bay, while plans are afoot to change the existing laws pertaining to marijuana in the Virgin Islands. Photo: Internet Source
SEA COWS BAY, Tortola, VI- A resident of the Third Electoral District quizzed residents at a public forum at the Valerie O. Thomas Community Centre in Sea Cows Bay, Tortola, on Thursday, January 30, 2020, on their knowledge of the marijuana industry and was curious to know if the Virgin Islands has the capacity to make the industry a viable one.

The man’s remark comes following the Government’s announcemnt that it would be venturing into the medicinal marijuana industry.

“Going back to marijuana, something that interests me and I know very little about it, and you (Hon Fraser) admitted the same. Does anybody here know anything about growing marijuana? Without convincing yourselves?” he asked.

His question was met with peals of laughter from residents of the community.

“I would like to know how much acreage or plants it takes to make a 100 milli-litres of medical content for medical purposes. Or whether we have such an acreage that is going to make selling it a viable proposition,” he remarked.

Opposition seeking answers too

It was on Thursday, January 23, 2020 during a press conference at the House of Assembly (HoA) Conference room in Road Town, Tortola, when members of the Opposition said they too were seeking answers on the medicinal marijuana industry.

“I too would like to know about this medical marijuana, but I can tell you something right now, it is popular. It is impossible to support something that you don’t know about. I need to know more about it, so I can see exactly what it is so I can make an intelligent decision on whether or not I would support it,” Senior Opposition legislator Hon Julian Fraser, RA (R3) said.

He said persons within the community would meet him on the topic and question him as he is a member of the House of Assembly.

“Marijuana is illegal in the BVI, and we are yet to see any legislation or hear any discussion or any draft to talk about the decriminalisation of marijuana. There is really a lot of hype with no substance behind the whole plan and the whole issue of medicinal marijuana in general,” Opposition Leader Honourable Marlon A. Penn (R8) chimed in at the same conference.

He stated that another concern was how persons involved in medical marijuana in the Virgin Islands would be able to perform banking transactions.

“The biggest challenge with this industry is the banking of funds. You are asking our banks which they will not do to bank funds. If they do bank these funds for medical marijuana, they have a risk of losing their licenses.”

Hon Penn described the new administration’s plan in that regard as “smoke and mirrors” and one that is intended to appeal to the younger crowd.

Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) announced that 100 Virgin Islanders would receive half-acre lots to cultivate and produce medicinal marijuana in Paraquita Bay, while plans are afoot to change the existing laws pertaining to marijuana in the Virgin Islands.

19 Responses to “SCB resident questions whether VI can make marijuana industry viable”

  • Be real (31/01/2020, 18:08) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    A 100 farmers is just fifty acers. That is just one farm on most of the other Islands. What kind of returns are they really going to see. bear in mind that the sale price is going to be way below present market value once it becomes legalized.
  • CHupps (31/01/2020, 18:27) Like (4) Dislike (36) Reply
    Another white man who want us to be a bird San
    • lodger (01/02/2020, 07:28) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      To Chupps. Not at all. Where did I say I was against it or progress?
    • islander (01/02/2020, 08:35) Like (23) Dislike (0) Reply
      First of all, apart from sounding very racist, what is a bird san??? And secondly I bet that white man has been here longer than you've been alive. Very long time member of our community! Let's stop all this colour thing!
    • @CHupps (01/02/2020, 10:58) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      Yours is an unnecessary and unjustified comment. A lot of people who were born here have the same questions!!!
    • BuzzBvi (01/02/2020, 22:38) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      Is this racist comment allowed? Will it be allowed after the Cybercrime Act? Why does VINO allow this racist stuff?
      • Really (01/02/2020, 23:47) Like (0) Dislike (6) Reply
        Racist how? It's a fact we were once a bird sanctuary and that's what they want us to be.
  • Diaspora (31/01/2020, 19:49) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    There are a myriad of questions about establishing a viable and competitive medical marijuana industry in the VI, ie, strain, quality, laboratory, control and security, distribution, market, dispensing, changing laws, production.....etc. Many locales are hitching their wagon to revenue possibilities; the market is competitive. it is important that not all marijuana strains are the same; there are approx 500 chemicals in marijuana. The two most prevalent are THC and CBD. THC is recreational, the type that gets people high; CBD is medical marijuana with little to no THC.
    • hmmmmmm (01/02/2020, 06:50) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      your so right on this
      • ... (01/02/2020, 12:29) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
        I like what this person is doing but one big problem with their comments are the distinction between THC & CBD herb.

        This attempt to say one is medical while the other isnt is completely false. Completely false, and I urge this person to check what they are saying.

        Traditionally medical card holders in the US were using high THC cannabis.

        This recent surge in high CBD strains is a RECENT creation by breeders, propelled by the fact that high THC cannabis is still federally illegal in the US and hemp aka low THC cannabis is federally legal.

        This leads to persons hyping up CBD and demonizing THC which is a sad affair centered on making money through dubious marketing.
        • Diaspora (01/02/2020, 13:11) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
          @—, I stand by my assertion that the two most prevalent chemicals in marijuana are THC and CBD. THC gets
          people high. On the other hand, CBD is a promising antipsychotic drug with medical potential; it is low in THC like hemp. Hemp is low in THC, if any, and don’t get people high.
          • ... (01/02/2020, 13:57) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
            Your assertion... is unchallenged. What I want you to understand that 5 years ago high CBD plants were new on the scene.

            Meanwhile people have been using high THC cannabis for medical purposes for thousands of years.

            What you are failing to grasp is that THC has medical aspects. That is all.

            Demonizing THC really isnt moving us forward.

            Especially when depression is a major concern in today's society. Depression is something that THC helps with very well.
          • ... (01/02/2020, 14:11) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
            Also to set your terminology right hemp is cannabis sativa with under 0.3 percent THC

            This means you can have 20% CBD plants (achievable by today's breeders) and it is still called hemp.

            I do not like how you imply that CBD is the only part of this plant with medical potential. It is misleading and false.

            You yourself said there are "there are approx 500 chemicals in marijuana."

            Now tell me what is wrong with being "high" if it also has medical benefits and treats depression.

            To say/imply that THC is purely recreational....

            This is propaganda, legacy of prohibition thinking.

            There is plenty of information out there, you are well informed but please continue to inform yourself.

          • ... (01/02/2020, 14:20) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
            I dont mean to be harsh either. Passionate. Respect for contributing in a meaningful way.
        • ... (01/02/2020, 13:35) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
          Still kudos to you, it is all one plant and if one form comes through then the rest will follow.

          It is my opinion that persons need to be informed and free to choose which form of cannabis best suits their own needs. Labeling THC as purely recreational is sensational.

          Here are two quick articles iv found on the medicinal aspect of THC:
          https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/cannabis-oil-with-thc-may-help-treat-kids-with-severe-epilepsy-1.4035970
          https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17140265

          Tldr: Epilepsy & Alzheimer's
        • Let's get this right (01/02/2020, 15:24) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
          Naturally occurring cannabis has both THC (get's you high) and CBD which offsets the pyscho-active properties of THC.
          Many of those selling to the recreational drugs market have, over the last 30 years, been growing genetically-engineered cannabis that contains very high levels of THC and very low levels/zero CBD. This is why 'skunk' is associated with mental illnesses and disorders in the western world.
          Those growing high CBD strains of cannabis are doing so because it is the CBD which has the medicinal, and therefore financial, value.
          • ... (01/02/2020, 18:19) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
            woah woah woah there skunk is a mix of afghan indica, and equatorial sativas. NOT GMO, like the vegetables we buy in the supermarket.

            Fact is the many strains of cannabis around are a result of traditional breeding practices.

            NOT GMO, not Monsanto, not corporate capitalism. Traditional breeding entails choosing out the best plants and putting male to female as god intended.

            Dog breeders do this all the time, & no one ever says that dog is so powerful it must be GMO.

            "This is why 'skunk' is associated with mental illnesses and disorders in the western world. "

            Skunk is associated with this because that is what governments were feeding the public to continue justifying their war on drugs.

            I need to start getting paid for this. Im out peace!
  • ReX FeRal (01/02/2020, 12:45) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Leave the marijuana alone.
  • Well (01/02/2020, 22:02) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Marijuana WILL burn REGARDLESS while they play politics.


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