Eleven cannabis micro-cultivation applications have advanced to the compliance phase, while a second commercial cultivator on St. Croix is expected to begin operations by the end of the week, according to Office of Cannabis Regulation Executive Director Joanne Moorehead.
The developments were among several updates presented during Thursday's Cannabis Advisory Board meeting, which proceeded without a quorum. Although members could not conduct official business, they received information about pending licenses, the progress of cannabis businesses preparing to open, and potential conflicts involving licenseholders who win elected office.
Ms. Moorehead said applications for dispensary, cultivation, and manufacturing licenses submitted during the latest application period are awaiting evaluation and scoring.
“Hopefully, we are able to set an evaluation committee meeting for next week to review those and score those, with the goal being to have those scored by the end of October, which is next week,” she said.
Eleven micro-cultivation applications have already advanced to compliance review, including three from St. John, four from St. Thomas, three from St. Croix, and the first application from Water Island.
Meanwhile, St. Croix is preparing for its second fully operational commercial cultivator by the end of this week, with a third expected to begin operations shortly afterward.
On the retail side, OCR has been coordinating with the territory's only active cannabis dispensary to ensure regulated products are available for the upcoming festival season. Two additional dispensaries on St. John are also nearing operational readiness but are awaiting product before they can begin sales.
Other conditionally approved businesses have spent much of the year working through compliance requirements. Ms. Moorehead said OCR has been holding status meetings with licensees to determine what remains necessary before they can begin operations.
She indicated that the agency could have a clearer picture of opening timelines within the next month or two.
Beyond the licensing updates, board members discussed restrictions under the Virgin Islands Cannabis Use Act that prohibit certain government officials and employees from holding cannabis business licenses.
Under the law, individuals who currently hold, or have held within the preceding 12 months, elected office in the executive or legislative branches of the Virgin Islands government are prohibited from holding or being issued cannabis licenses. The restriction also applies to employees of the Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs and OCR, as well as Cannabis Advisory Board members.
With election season underway, Ms. Moorehead raised a question about how those restrictions should apply to individuals who already own licensed cannabis businesses before deciding to run for public office.
Board member Chris Jones expressed concern about potential conflicts of interest if a successful candidate were allowed to retain a cannabis license while serving in elected office.
“I don't think they should be able to hold their license after being elected, because then they, you know, could influence decisions that affect them,” Mr. Jones said.
Cannabis Advisory Board Chair Catherine Kean acknowledged that the question presented both legal and ethical considerations that warranted further discussion by the full board.
Because the restrictions are established under the Cannabis Use Act, any changes to the statutory provisions would require legislative action rather than a decision by the board alone.
No formal action was taken on the matter Thursday because the board lacked a quorum.
