Gov’t in weekly meetings with UK on Medical Marijuana Bill– Premier
The Premier made the statement during a Friday, February 11, 2022, press conference and this comes as the Bill passed in 2020 is still awaiting assent by Governor John J. Rankin to pave the way for the establishment of the medical marijuana industry.
“To further the process of getting the legislation assented to, your government has requested weekly meetings with the UK on this matter so that we can expeditiously come to the common ground needed to bring closure to this matter and allow legislation on to finally be assented to by the governor,” Premier Fahie said.
VI missing out on billion-dollar industry- Premier
The Premier reminded that medicinal marijuana is a billion-dollar industry worldwide now; however, the holdup of the bill is preventing the Virgin Islands from claiming a portion of this market.
“This is a potential new major revenue earner for the territory and no further unnecessary delays can be afforded,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Premier revealed that the VI already has commenced having meetings with the UK and said the government will be doing everything that needs to be done to keep this process moving forward.
He reminded that the process should ultimately lead to the VI establishing its medical marijuana industry and begin creating jobs and other revenue opportunities for people as well as creating new entrepreneurs in the VI.
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12 Responses to “Gov’t in weekly meetings with UK on Medical Marijuana Bill– Premier”
BVI - 'we want to legalize weed!'
UK - 'no'
BVI - 'OK, we be back next week!'
Repete
What government can do is educate the people, identify & protect areas of naturally occurring production (coconut forests, seagrape, papayas, seaside almond groves, edible seaweeds & mosses) Figure out what can be sustainably harvested and promote seasonal foraging of those natural food stocks. Teach long term storage methods for those local produce & fish.
The issue of food security for THE TERRITORY is an issue that requires a wholistic approach not dependent on a few farmers or fishers who are out for a profit & not in the business of giving away free food. When international prices go up local produce price is going up with it.
Kudos to the current government for bravely tackling this issue of cannabis legalization.
but they should be careful to avoid the pit falls of the -done in the dark- bi-water deal & other shadowy deals. The people are more important than investors & it seemed as if they were being sold out before the industry even got started. 5% to the farmers anyone remember that?
At the end of the day this is about increasing personal liberties, improving quality of life through therapeutic medicine which god created, & finding a way for Virgin Islanders to benefit from this industry.
In addition I continually hear people asking if you can eat weed. THE ANSWER IS YES. Rejoice. yes you can eat it. The problem is its worth more than precious metals by weight. When its legal the people who are interested in eating it will be able to make the worlds most expensive callaloo.
Its problematic because once again we allow the potential outside money to dictate individuals rights in the VI, & ultimately dictate our yet to be born domestic industry.
This disregards our longstanding biblical cultural perspective this plant came from god, described in genesis as food for us & that its mental/twisted/demonic to be arrested or barred from growing such a beneficial sacramental plant.
There's a difference between a commercial producer for export & your everyday Joe who wants to try four plants in his closet under lights or in the backyard under the sun instead of buying it every month which Joe already cant afford considering his family obligations, for 200 - $500 an ounce for the quality he can produce at home if allowed to.
Its incredible more people are not speaking up. Maybe you reading have no therapeutic interest now, no serious medical issues yet, or have no faith in the government but if you have a chance to be given increased freedom & rights that will be there when you are ready for them, fight for it.
Freedom is worth fighting for.
Dont be in a position to look back and say at the time you stayed quiet because you didn't know what freedom was worth.