First cannabis business licenses expected by December, longer for first dispensary

ST. CROIX — The Virgin Islands Cannabis Regulations Office expects to issue its first cannabis business licenses by December, lawmakers on the Senate Economic Development and Agriculture Committee heard on Wednesday.

The opening of a dispensary, however, is further away, according to OCE Executive Director Joanne Moorehead. At Wednesday’s hearing Moorehead told senators that the office hopes to have a temporary application process approved by the Cannabis Advisory Board during its next meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, while OCR works to integrate the business licensing process into its registration portal for cannabis users.

“Take the time now to familiarize yourself and your business partners with the requirements, as the application window will be for a specific time only and then applications are closed until this time next year,” she said, addressing the public. Throughout Wednesday’s discussion, Moorehead repeatedly stressed that those interested in the cannabis industry should carefully review the 130-page document, found on the office’s website: ocr.vi.gov.