Gov’t still negotiating Medicinal Marijuana Bill with Gov’s Office– Hon Wheatley
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Hon Wheatley was at the time touching on the topic as a guest on the February 26, 2024, edition of ‘Da Morning Braff’ show on Tola Radio 100.5 FM in response to a caller on whether Sir Richard C.N. Branson has an audience with the Government over his medicinal marijuana advocacy.
“That's something we passed in the House a long time ago and the Governor did not assent to. We’re still negotiating with the Governor's Office,” he added.
Recently, British Billionaire and Virgin Islands' Belonger Mr Branson said he supports efforts to decriminalise, legalise and regulate cannabis in many jurisdictions around the world because he believes it will ultimately wrestle control from those in charge of the illicit market, reduce harm, and ultimately make people and communities safer.
Branson said the criminalisation of cannabis has proven counter-productive and disproportionately impacts young people, affecting their chances in life while adding that the dominance of potent cannabis strains on the illicit market is precisely the result of drug prohibition.
Bill held up by Governor
However, with the VI’s medicinal industry yet to take off and held up, Hon Wheatley said Branson's influence could help push the industry.
“Well Branson seems very influential, so if he wants to advocate for us, I thank you very kindly, because people use [medical] marijuana for all kinds of things,” Hon Wheatley said.
Meanwhile, British Overseas Territories in the Caribbean seeking to set up their own medicinal cannabis industry have been faced with strict oversight from the UK, including refusal to assent to laws passed by those OTs to establish the industry.
Since November 2018, medical cannabis has been legalised in the United Kingdom, where cannabis can be prescribed if no other licensed medicine can be of help to the patient.
In the VI, Medicinal Cannabis Licensing Act, 2020' was passed with amendments since June 30, 2020, in the Virgin Islands House of Assembly (HoA), however, the bill to date has never been assented to by the Governor.
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13 Responses to “Gov’t still negotiating Medicinal Marijuana Bill with Gov’s Office– Hon Wheatley”
I do not believe we have the skill to competitively grow cannabis.
If you want to boost the economy, legalize RECREATIONAL pot. This would let real people make money and make the tourists happy (and get more tourists here!).
Who would a MEDICAL pot law benefit?? Since we have almost no export agriculture in the BVI how are we going to pull this off? The Green House train wreck is still in recent memory (just look at that big scar on the hill in South Sound).
Vince - go back and pass a real pot law. The old one doesn't make any sense!
You just proved why they need to legalize with your comment about fixing the issues. THIS IS AN ISSUE. It being illegal is fattening crime and sucking the child support out of those you say are smoking their life away on tainted weed.
Four years and counting of discussions?
Is Sir Richard a God ?
So because he is supporting decriminalization for this so called Ganja scheme we must just bump it into effect.
Can we compete with any Caribbean Island in any way in the Agricultural industry?
If this is done ,everyone who was jailed or charged for such(regardless to how long) should be compensated, and all who were deported get likewise.