US Virgin Islands authorizes use of marijuana for recreational purposes

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — The U.S. Virgin Islands has authorized the recreational and sacramental use of marijuana for anyone 21 and older, joining several nations across the socially conservative Caribbean that have relaxed their cannabis laws.

The move has been several years in the making, with U.S. Virgin Islands officials traveling to Colorado to meet with cultivators, manufacturers, law enforcement and others to learn about the industry before Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. signed the bill Wednesday.

“We are bringing the opportunities to you, but you must also do your part to seize these opportunities,” Bryan said, referring to the cultivation, manufacture and sale of marijuana in the U.S. territory.

Bryan added that his administration will expunge the records of those convicted of simple cannabis possession if they are eligible, saying that some 300 people in the U.S. territory of 105,000 inhabitants have been convicted in the last 20 years.

“It is my goal to make sure many of us who have been negatively impacted by the criminalization of cannabis are afforded every opportunity to participate in this new and legal cannabis industry,” he said, adding that the government will provide entrepreneurship and job training.

The U.S. Virgin Islands previously approved marijuana for medicinal use in 2019.

The new law allows those 21 and older to possess up to 2 ounces of marijuana, a half ounce of concentrate and 1 ounce of products such as edibles for recreational, sacramental and other uses.

Medical marijuana patients are allowed to possess up to 4 ounces of cannabis, 1 ounce of concentrate and 2 ounces of products.

Under the new measure, cultivation permits will be awarded to those who use marijuana for sacramental purposes.

Dispensaries will apply a tax of at least 18% on all sales, although medical marijuana patients are exempt, according to the newly approved law.