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Medical marijuana industry delayed ‘but will not be denied’- Premier Fahie

- says VI working with UK on way forward
Virgin Islands (VI) Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R) has pointed out that the UK delay of the territory’s medicinal marijuana industry is one that continues to rob the country of proven economic benefits. Photo: Internet Source
The Premier made the statement during today’s November 11, 2021, 2022 budget presentation under the topic of 'Developing Business and Opportunities,' in direct reference to the VI’s stalled medicinal marijuana industry at the hands of the UK and Governor. Photo: Youtube/HoA
The Premier made the statement during today’s November 11, 2021, 2022 budget presentation under the topic of 'Developing Business and Opportunities,' in direct reference to the VI’s stalled medicinal marijuana industry at the hands of the UK and Governor. Photo: Youtube/HoA
DUFF’S BOTTOM, Tortola, VI – Virgin Islands (VI) Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R) has pointed out that the United Kingdom's delay of the territory’s medical marijuana industry is one that continues to rob the country of proven economic benefits.

The Premier made the statement during yesterday’s November 11, 2021, 2022 budget presentation under the topic of 'Developing Business and Opportunities,' in direct reference to the VI’s stalled medical marijuana industry at the hands of the UK and the Governor.

Industry thriving globally - Premier 

“Legal and regulated marijuana industries have already proven to have provided economic benefits and stimulation to several jurisdictions,” he said.

Although the VI 'Medicinal Cannabis Licensing Act, 2020' was passed with amendments on June 30, 2020, in the Virgin Islands House of Assembly (HoA), the bill is yet to become law until it is assented to by the Governor of the Virgin Islands (VI).

Then-Governor Augustus J.U. Jaspert aka 'Gus' had blamed bureaucracy for the hold up of bills; however, he constantly dodged questions on the exact reasons for his refusal to make the Cannabis Act law ahead of his announcement of a Commission of Inquiry into governance in the VI.

The VI 'Medicinal Cannabis Licensing Act, 2020' 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 by local marijuana farmers.

Industry projected to reach $57B by 2027

Honourable Fahie indicated that the global medical marijuana industry is projected to grow from its current value of $9.2 billion to $57 billion by 2027.

‘We were ahead of the game when we passed that legislation in this Honorable House and we may have been delayed but with God’s help we will not be denied,” he said.

Premier Fahie reminded that the people of the Virgin Islands can benefit immensely if they can participate in this industry.

“Your government is working with the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) to address the various issues that are holding back assent to the legislation for the Virgin Islands to establish our medical marijuana industry,” he said.

27 Responses to “Medical marijuana industry delayed ‘but will not be denied’- Premier Fahie”

  • resident (12/11/2021, 12:51) Like (19) Dislike (1) Reply
    pie in the sky dreams
    • Check the Banks (13/11/2021, 01:01) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Not a single BVI Bank will be able to touch the proceeds from the marijuana business. Did no one look into this?!
  • wow (12/11/2021, 13:52) Like (15) Dislike (2) Reply
    With all those developed nations legalizing marijuana why would they come here to buy our two acre amount of marijuana.

    Are we to depend on an industry that WILL NOT and I repeat WILL NOT generate revenue but deplete the limited resources that we have.

    Thank God for helping us

    • Judo sayer (12/11/2021, 15:47) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
      Perhaps he wants to legalise it so it can provide cover for the illegal drugs trade some associates also want to promote.
    • dr.greenthumb (12/11/2021, 20:08) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Tropical sunlight
  • pat (12/11/2021, 14:17) Like (1) Dislike (13) Reply
    We need our independence or else we doom
    • Why (12/11/2021, 15:42) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
      Why we want independence? So we can sell more drugs? What a nasty ass world you want us to live in.
  • Unvaccinated #PureBlooded (12/11/2021, 14:27) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    People can be broken into 2 types.
    1) Those who think the government wants to help you.
    2) Those who think.
    • BUT... (12/11/2021, 15:38) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      There are no “Proven economic benefits “ because it isn’t lawful. Surely even Fahie can figure that out and not think we so stupid that we won’t spot that!
  • W*F (12/11/2021, 14:33) Like (2) Dislike (24) Reply
    why the racist British holding this up?
  • Gangster (12/11/2021, 14:48) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    TRUST is the word
  • PARTY TIME (12/11/2021, 15:32) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    Looks like we are going to , eat , drink and smoke weed and everybody is going to be high in the holy land / and stoned to the bone
  • When.. (12/11/2021, 15:33) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    when will it be equal for everyone, the government close friends gonna make their millions, but they want to lock up people for medicating with the same product..
  • Native Senior Citizen of the BVI (12/11/2021, 17:23) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Medical marijuana has its values, but principles of laws that show equal respect for all member of our Country's value is far higher.
    Medical marijuana has the potential to get is millions of dollars over a short, and extended period of time, but helping to our youth's brain from unstableness value higher.
    Medical marijuana is our rights of choice to choose, when a small number of our people I'll benefit financially heavily at the expense of the greater majority, something is unbalance.
    Medical marijuana is not bad, but it is bad to fight your superior authorities over its legal passage to become law.
    Medical marijuana is necessary, but why can't we import our needed amount at this time, and negotiate with our partners skilfully, and patiently on this màttter, rather than stirring unnecessary for political, and personal financial gain?
    Righteousness exalts a nation, but greed causes reproach.
    • smh (12/11/2021, 21:15) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      Isn't Medical Marijuana the same Marijuana grown for Recreational Use. Come On! Soon the USVI will benefit from Legalizing such!
  • Waiting (12/11/2021, 19:44) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Thank god. If government & governor really wants to bring us up to the times throw in an amendment to allow adult persons to grow six mature plants. In Canada you can buy dry weed from the government & grow it yourself. In the States persons can buy expensive taxed weed from the dispensary & grow it themselves.

    There won’t be anyone with motivation to be saying the government weed is bad yadda yadda the project is a failure it’s all about the money it’s exploiting the people blahblah if there is the option to grow a personal amount without getting arrested.

    Don’t set yourselves & the people up for failure by being overly concerned about stray pollen from the public meanwhile any of the government farmers can grow a naturally occurring hermaphrodite and pollinate the government plants conveniently grown in one location Paraquita Bay any day of the year multiple times a year.

    To the economic naysayers we do not need to be the biggest producer in the world. It’s one more consumable tourist will want to experience before heading home. Restaurants spas charters will likely incorporate it as an option into their customer experience as per the law unregistered adults such as visitors will be able to possess a small quantity.

    I’m confused about when cbd oil cbd vapes and hemp products became legal and able to be advertised publicly it’s medicine but to be fair persons probably want to order their own reliable products from reputable companies but are probably sketched out by the uncertainty.
  • The moff! (12/11/2021, 21:11) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Smoke and mirrors ! Smoke and mirrors!!!
  • Free the weed (13/11/2021, 03:28) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yes it’s best to legalize the weed Nicky see and John bling does be selling more weed than drinks and food at the bar. Legalize it so everyone can get their hustle on.
  • E. Leonard (13/11/2021, 10:16) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Medical marijuana (cannabis), CBD(cannabidol) and a non-psychoactive drug, is a growing business globally. To me, the jury is still out as to whether the VI (British), a small, 59 square mile locale spread over 36 islands, will have a comparative advantage in producing and distributing medical cannabis. It is important to note that CBD is not the same strain ( there over 500 strains) as THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), pot, weed etc, a recreational drug. No one will be getting high on CBD as far as I know.

    However, since apparently and allegedly October 2018, medical marijuana is legal in the UK. Moreover, to be competitive, the VI will have to find a way to differentiate itself from the increasing and gathering players in the medical marijuana field.

    Moreover, the VI is supposedly self-governing (at least on paper) territory. Nevertheless, medical marijuana bill passed in the duly elected HOA, the governor has failed to assent the bill. As noted earlier, it appeared that CBD is legal in the UK. Further, a bill passed by UK Parliament to become law must receive royal assent. However, the crown not assenting to a bill duly passed by Parliament is rare. The last time a bill did not receive royal assent was in 1708 under the rule of Queen Anne; it was the Scottish Militia Bill.

    The VI has a similar process for bills passed by the duly elected HOA; they must receive governor’s assent. Personal feelings or choices should not factor into not assenting to bills duly passed by HOA that was elected by a majority of voters.

    Some may argue that the Marijuana Bill may not have been passed unanimously in the HOA or supported by the whole population. A bill rarely if ever will receive a 100% support among residents. This is not how the VI democracy, the HOA, works; all that is required to pass bills in the HOA is a simple majority. If the electorate is not happy with the elected government decision making, they can let their dissatisfaction be known loudly at the polls. Elections have consequences; to the Victor goes the spoils.
    • RealPol (13/11/2021, 15:56) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      E. Leonard, real talk!
    • Socrates (13/11/2021, 17:28) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      @E. Leonard, how will the BVI differentiate itself from the BIG boys in this competitive business? Can it produce a higher quality product at the same or lower cost? Are there local or other botanists working on improving the strain? Will the BVI be competing with the USVI? Medical marijuana is a control substance (schedule 2) so how will the BVI control the growth, processing and distribution? Will the BVI approve small quantities of THC for personal consumption as other regional countries have done? Will smaller users have any conviction remove from their record? Will the banks handle transactions from CBD? Meeting with Aristotle and the rest of the fellows later to discuss and other issues. Boys are getting concerns about how tings running across the globe.
  • class mate (13/11/2021, 12:50) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Ed, you are bringing the facts and keeping things real and exposing the hypocrisy. Think you may have clear up a misunderstanding about medical marijuana. Some in the community saw the passage of medical marijuana bill as a legal opportunity to get high but as you noted medical marijuana is not a recreational drug. Further, others in the community also feared that bill passage will increase marijuana use. Well, it will but for proven medical purposes. Will it be the third major economic pillar? Time, time will tell.
  • Truth Hurts (13/11/2021, 14:17) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Medical use is governed by international regulations. There are lots of things dat have to be in place to make and sell this stuff. Countries that have a licence have put in place regulations and controls. This stuff is used to help medical problems you cant just grow the plant and ship it out
    This leader don’t tell the real story of what this means. Another made up story makin promise he big going to keep.
    Truth hurts
  • eh (14/11/2021, 14:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    While the discussion is constructive one has to consider that both thc and cbd are medicinal both target specific issues and offer therapeutic relief and it’s not constructive to think one should remain illegal.

    In fact many are now realizing that cbd is psychoactive. To wrap your mind around that consider that tobacco and alcohol are psychoactive but tobacco does not cause drunkenness. The traditional spiritual for tobacco use is for it to open a person up while bringing clarity and focus.

    Many people mix cbd with thc with beneficial success and it’s common to mix tobacco with thc to cause the high to be powerful but short lived.

    Some people use plain cannabis because they don’t like tobacco or it’s health hazards and want to be medicated for a long time.

    In addition there’s nothing inherently wrong with getting high on yoga jogging or cannabis in fact. All these activities yet they all make people high it’s a misleading simplification.
  • ITS REAL FUNNY (14/11/2021, 19:56) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    HOW ALL THESE ROCKET SCIENTIST CAN EXPLAIN EVERYTHING ON WEED
  • musa (15/11/2021, 15:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    ?if the government legalized marijuana will it be cheaper also please place a vending machine in front the administration building because most sick peoples work there .
  • jah know (17/11/2021, 08:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The UK wants legal gay marriage but not legal marijuana


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