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VI missing out on marijuana tourism- Justine Callwood

-calls for Gov't to explore cannabis licensing outside of medicinal use
VI authorities are now being urged to look into the Marijuana tourism industry as a way to diversify the territory's economy. Photo: Internet Source
 Ms Justine Callwood, the daughter of Philiciano O. Callwood aka 'Foxy', said the VI may have short-changed itself by restricting Cannabis Licensing to just medicinal use. Photo: Facebook
Ms Justine Callwood, the daughter of Philiciano O. Callwood aka 'Foxy', said the VI may have short-changed itself by restricting Cannabis Licensing to just medicinal use. Photo: Facebook
Ms Callwood, whose father owns the popular Foxy's Tamarind Bar and restaurant further alluded to the use of cannabis in food, which she said can be a big plus as it will be attractive to tourists looking for a new culinary experience. Photo: Internet Source
Ms Callwood, whose father owns the popular Foxy's Tamarind Bar and restaurant further alluded to the use of cannabis in food, which she said can be a big plus as it will be attractive to tourists looking for a new culinary experience. Photo: Internet Source
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – When the Virgin Islands House of Assembly (HoA) passed the Medicinal Cannabis Licensing Act 2020 into law, Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) made it clear that the bill was only for the medicinal use of marijuana and its local cultivation.

He said the bill is neither an excuse nor a licence for people to ‘smoke anywhere’, however, according to Ms Justine Callwood, the daughter of Philiciano O. Callwood aka 'Foxy', the territory may have short-changed itself with that decision. 

Tourism & Cannabis

She said with the bill, there is now an opportunity to start an entirely new industry based on cannabis tourism where persons would visit the VI to consume marijuana as part of their adventure on the islands. 

“Can we do this? We can but maybe we wouldn’t get a chance. The bill as written doesn’t allow for such an integration there is the provision created for the authority that may allow it to do so,” she said.

Ms Callwood was at the time Speaking on July 9, 2019, as guest presenter of the Rotary Club of Tortola on the topic, where her presentation was made public via their Zoom meeting and online via the local production entity JTV.

She said that even as a product, medicinal marijuana has its challenges to generate the kind of revenues the government is forecasting, "however, with no doubt, weed is trending. It has become incorporated in tourism on a few different levels. What we are seeing is that tourist truly enjoy having something to do,” Mr Callwood said as part of her arguments for authorities to explore the idea. 

Cooking with Cannabis 

Listing the range of products that could be derived from marijuana other than its medical values, Callwood pointed out building products, clothing, textile, salt, rope, hemp brick, hemp paint, cosmetics. 

“How sustainable could we make ourselves as a community if we can incorporate these ideas?” she questioned.

Ms Callwood, whose father owns the popular Foxy's Tamarind Bar and restaurant further alluded to the use of cannabis in food, which she said can be a big plus as it will be attractive to tourists looking for a new culinary experience.

“Should we approach this, these ideas are incredibly beneficial in terms of people’s desire to visit as a result of being a very unique thing!” she said.

22 Responses to “VI missing out on marijuana tourism- Justine Callwood”

  • Wait (11/07/2020, 11:18) Like (5) Dislike (8) Reply

    Hold it there we have to go through this process first with the i***** p***** them planning to send out who permits not renewing this is priority then we will deal with marijuana talk. We don’t wan to much a them benefiting on our marijuana product

    • lol (11/07/2020, 11:35) Like (15) Dislike (9) Reply
      She just want to be high over Jost Van Dyke
      • Most high god (12/07/2020, 19:46) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
        I created that plant cannabis or what ever u want to call when i created this plant i created it for mankind and it is a good plant who is man to say the most high god plant is bad no man on earth has that authority to do so.fight against the most high god and his creation and u will surely loose u cant win yhis fight so stop .the church is the devil they have no love for the most high god thats why they join this fight against cannabis instead of defending the most high God and his creation .set ah devils on this earth cannabis been around since the beginning of times and only in the 1920's it became illegal by president Nixon u have a brain use it ppl .set ah devils in this world have no love for the most high god .
      • Most high god (12/07/2020, 19:51) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        It is soo much better being high than being low who feels it knows it.
  • cgb (11/07/2020, 11:23) Like (9) Dislike (7) Reply
    You all want to smoke up the weed you coming with all kinds of excuses now.
    • Most high god (12/07/2020, 19:57) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Who put you to hate this plant? When you were born a baby not knowing anything
  • y (11/07/2020, 11:26) Like (5) Dislike (5) Reply
    That's all you people can think of the virus is still around think about those children who come bacause of surcumstanc cannot finish their studies mariguana is nothing new in this place it's a life style here
  • priest (11/07/2020, 11:38) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    What makes the BVI different? Everyone else has the same thing water sand/beaches, sailing, dive sites. Ever one is going into medical marijuana and marijuana tourism. What would make people bypass all the other countries/ territories
    choose the BVI just to enjoy the mentioned product?
  • I (11/07/2020, 11:48) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply

    @ wait what u know about marijuana u think it's some sh*t u all rool up mix mashup d youths them brain real u get it in the Caribbean no mixing real talk so u just pull aside u don't know what you talking about

  • No Smoking (11/07/2020, 11:53) Like (8) Dislike (3) Reply
    They can drink it...Eat it.. Whatever, except smoking. Then they won't be disturbing other people... Marijuana smoke is a strong smelling far reaching scent. Most times they have other stuff added to it make the somke scent more disgusting and unhealthy..
  • shantel (11/07/2020, 12:18) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Girl smoke up, you go an entire island for yourself.
  • g (11/07/2020, 12:34) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    BVI needs to come up with ways to generate income. Financial services dropping daily. I agree with making hemp products also. We have to becareful of the products we use on our skin that is giving us Cancer. Natural products is always better. Please note that I am not a ganja smoker so no need for anyone to say I want to get high or am high.
  • ww (11/07/2020, 13:37) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    It's so hypocritical to legalize ganja for export while refusing recreational usage. Pretend like it's not happening here all the time.
  • Miko (11/07/2020, 14:49) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ouch too bad
  • New age blend (11/07/2020, 15:22) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
    There's a new to fight against covid19. It's cannabis resin mixed with red hot pepper seeds crush or grinded together with a kerosene base, smoke or inhaled in a Challis Pipe which eradicates or kill the virus and clear the respiratory system. The backlash or side effects is it can cause severe inflammation of the congestive system. Do we really want to try this thing?
  • cgb (11/07/2020, 17:48) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    We all know is high she trying to get high
  • josiah'sbay (11/07/2020, 18:04) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Sixty percent of our revenue source comes from financial services, let that sink in. The financial industry is so unpredictable, it's like walking on quick sand.We can squabble about this or that but what is real is that we must find other revenue sources.
  • no nonsense (11/07/2020, 19:41) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    Produce you own on Jost Van do as you like and ayo use it. Get super cop to be COP and ayo can see tola from the prison bars together!!
  • ReX FeRal (12/07/2020, 07:05) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    I do not agree with that. Marijuana like other drugs and alcohol has the potential for abuse and there are lots of abusers here in the BVI.
    • Most high god (12/07/2020, 19:54) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      It's not a drug it's a plant .drugs are made in a lab
      Cannabis was created by the most high god. Big big difference. Use ahya brain ppl .
  • Rebel (12/07/2020, 20:04) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I love the most high god so i will never go against him u should do the same and stop fighting against his creation. Love has no end , love has no if , but,and because think straight not crooked
  • lol (12/07/2020, 20:22) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Its am essential service in the states.From the beginning of Covid till now.The sales of both rec and medical are up 300%.Everyone the industry from trimmers.. to the dispensarys have been at work through out..unless you wish to isolate. Its a small market here... By the way cannabis is what's keeping be sane through this s&%t.Whatvi put in my body is a victimless crime..screw you weak minded ppl.Its supposed to smell dank.itsdafire if it smells like dirtyfeet and burnt rubber..its the fire..no more vincy again...good.


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