Due to the lack of quorum caused by the absence of four members of the Cannabis Advisory Board, Wednesday's meeting consisted only of an update provided by Joanne Morehead, executive director of the Office of Cannabis Regulations.
"I am very, very happy to tell you that we have our first sacramental organization application," Ms. Moorehead began. "It is nearly complete."
Another practitioner has also applied, she disclosed, bringing the total to eight: four on St. Croix and four on St. Thomas. Patient applications are also rolling in. "I think that is starting to pick up steam," Ms. Moorehead volunteered. "I think there's a lot of interest in the ability to grow." The rollout of the cultivation application suffered "some glitches," according to Ms. Moorehead. As a result, the deadline for applying for cultivation licenses has been extended to June 27, 2025.
With the application process ongoing, Ms. Moorehead stressed the need for a wide-ranging public education campaign to prepare society for consuming cannabis under a regulated framework. "I think there is a lot of misunderstanding…having decriminalized cannabis does not mean free for all," she said. "All members of the public must adhere to the Virgin Islands Smoke Free Act."
Read more at The Virgin Islands Consortium