Rasta Organization Asks for 'Safey Net' For Locals in Development of Cannabis Market in USVI

One Rastafarian organization in the U.S. Virgin Islands is making recommendations for locals to capitalize on the cannabis industry due to launch within a year.

When Tafari Tzaddi, President of the Virgin Islands Rastafari Sacramental Cannabis Council Inc. appeared before the Committee on Economic Development and Agriculture on Wednesday, he presented a 12-point list of recommendations that will allow indigenous Virgin Islanders to receive first preference in the development of the local cannabis market.

“I know that the outside entities are going to come on in. They’re coming with their money …it’s hard to stop these entities that’s coming in with these millions,” he said.

The nonprofit entity is requesting “consideration and affluence” within the construction of the Cannabis Social Equity Program that will allow Rastafarians, previously persecuted for using cannabis as sacrament, sovereign rights within the new laws and newly-legal marketplace. Mr. Tzaddi said in order to minimize the risk of predatory investors, predatory contracts and exploitation by unscrupulous actors, locals should be protected by a safety net for some time.

“Within this, we also ask that the people of Virgin Islands be given an extended period to establish this industry locally and to not allow outside or foreign investment until the local establishments have been finalized,” he said.

Among the major asks are exemptions from permit costs or licenses, tax reductions and eliminations, the implementation of educational and business grants for access, priority funding for state-funded small business grants and loans and priority licensing for Rastafarians.