Under pressure Governor to assent to Cannabis Licensing Act
Passed since July 2020 in the House of Assembly (HoA), the major Cannabis Licensing Act, 2020, had been with the governor for several months awaiting assent.
UK had to Cross-Examine bill - Governor Jaspert claims
Now, according to Governor Jaspert, in a December 10, 2020, statement, the holdup was as a result of cross-examination and ‘line by line’ scrutiny in the UK to ensure both bills were in compliance with international laws.
Due to the hold-up, the Governor had faced heavy backlash from both community members and the government, for stalling the startup of the VI’s medical marijuana industry and its adverse effects on job creation.
"I regret that the consideration of these bills has taken some time, but I am grateful to the Premier, Members of the House of Assembly and the people of BVI for their patience,” the Governor said.
Mr Jaspert continued, “As I hope all can appreciate, it is incredibly important to get this right and ensure that BVI remains compliant with international law. I am pleased that we are now at a point where we can move forward, I hope positively, on these bills,” he said.
With the Governor given the go-ahead to assent the bill, it could be a matter of days or even hours before it becomes law.
VI Licencing authority to be established
For the Cannabis Licensing Act 2020, he said the VI would have to collaborate with the UK to establish a licencing authority for cannabis in the VI, as that responsibility is currently vested in the Home office.
“For this to happen, BVI and the Home Office need to work together to take preliminary steps to transfer the authority and enter into a Memorandum of Understanding, which is a binding agreement between the two Governments.”
Meanwhile, regarding the holdup of another bill, the Drugs (Prevention of Misuse) Amendment Act 2020, Governor Jaspert said, the UK Foreign Secretary wants to give further consideration to this bill to explore the possible effects of decriminalising the possession of a recreational drug and thereby potentially increasing its trade– at this time.
More details to come.
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31 Responses to “Under pressure Governor to assent to Cannabis Licensing Act”
For the Cannabis Licensing Act 2020, he said the VI would have to collaborate with the UK to establish a licencing authority for cannabis in the VI, as that responsibility is currently vested in the Home office. <<<< This going be a another MF HOLD UP.
Why Jaspert feel people of the virgin islands STUPID? Prolong the assent......
Then there will be the prolonged establishment of the Licensing Authority
Plus having to put UK members on the board that will create stumbling blocks for the forward progression of cannibis sale...
Thus slowing up or path to revenue and profitability .... and "EXPLAINED WEALTH" in the BVI.
GET OUT OF HERE WTH THIS BS GOVERNOR WE THE PEOPLE OF THE BVI DONE SEE YOUR TRUE COLORS.
YOU HAVE VILE UNDERMINIG WAYS AND WE AINT FALLING FOR IT.
Sounds like another case of these people telling the VI they are unable to handle their own affairs ONLY in matters of them exerting control...this is crazy in a time when information is easily accessible.
while this explanation is plausible and acceptable it is nonetheless the absence of an explanation to both the public and to the house in conjuction with weak people skills that created the furor. Unfortunately too little too late. We wish and hope for a quick exit from these paths as we seek to develop or reestablish some sense of trust in our leaders.
Check by the bars, the first chance they get blacks always drinking on the job and taking a smoke.