Government

Lack of Collaboration Foils Attempt to Move Marijuana Legalization Bill Forward; Effort Will Reconvene Dec. 29

The Committee on the Whole stands in Recess until December 29 at 9.30 a.m. when senators and testifiers will reconvene to discuss changes that may move the cannabis legalization bill forward. Tuesday’s meeting of the committee came to an abrupt sojourn after Senate President Donna Frett-Gregory verbally scolded her colleagues for not working together on the bill and thereby further delaying its passage. Despite having previously committed to collaborating on drafting the bill, Ms. Frett-Gregory said, “That did not happen and that’s why we’re here today having amendment here, amendment there.” “I have sent emails asking for us to collaborate but this legislation was a dark secret” … “we find ourselves in this situation, high December, because of individualism,” she insisted. Bill No. 34-0345 is and Act to amend title 19 Virgin Islands Code by adding chapter 34A to expand the legalization of cannabis from medicinal use to include adult use cannabis. The bill was sponsored by Senator...