VI 'Medicinal Cannabis Licensing Act 2020' passes in HoA
Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie in a social media update shortly after the passing of the bill said, "Major medicinal and economic benefits are in the Act for our people of the Virgin Islands and the Territory, as this is yet another initiative geared towards diversifying our economy in midst of the COVID-19 era."
The bill essentially paves the way for the Territory to establish its own medicinal marijuana industry, through the cultivation of special strains of cannabis on local farmlands, for medicinal purposes.
While thanking all who worked to make the bill a reality, the Premier promised that the new industry will also birth employment opportunities for the people; however, he warned that the bill is not a licence for the recreational use of marijuana.
Only for medicinal use - Premier Fahie
"This is only for medicinal cannabis and it is not license... or freedom for everyone to just use marijuana, this is not what it is about," he said.
"I want to make that abundantly clear because there's a lot of miscommunications so to speak, or misinformation about it and... this does not mean that everyone can smoke anywhere and do what they want with cannabis," Hon Fahie said.
Ahead of its final reading, the bill was combed clause by clause by both the government and opposition in the committee stage of the House as recommended by Opposition Leader, Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8).
The motion for the third reading of the legislation was moved by the Premier and seconded by Deputy Premier and Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Carvin Malone (AL) before it was passed with amendments late Tuesday evening.
.png)
.png)
.png)
Follow Us On
24 Responses to “VI 'Medicinal Cannabis Licensing Act 2020' passes in HoA”