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The year 2019 was a memorable one for the residents of the US Virgin Islands. Governor Albert Bryan signed the Virgin Islands Medical Cannabis Patient Care Act paving the way for the possession and consumption of medical Cannabis within the state. Although it has been almost 4 years to that fateful day, the Caribbean Islands have yet to launch a solid medical cannabis program that allows patients to get Virgin Islands medical marijuana cards.
However, we have some good news as experts believe that the Virgin Islands' medical marijuana program will be up and running by the end of 2023. The framework of the program is already in discussion. Let's take a look at the possible aspects of the upcoming Medical Marijuana Program in the Virgin Islands.
Possible Benefits Of Having A Medical Marijuana Card In the Virgin Islands
The Virgin Islands are yet to finalize a medical marijuana program but we have already heard some amazing details proposed for the program. Chances are that medical marijuana users in particular will be heavily favored with a list of benefits that will be limited to the registered users only.
- Medical marijuana patients will be exempt from excise taxes with experts predicting recreational sales will include a minimum 18% tax charge.
- The Medical Cannabis Patient Care Act will allow medical marijuana patients to possess up to 4 ounces and cultivate up to 12 cannabis plants.
- 18-year-olds and minors will be able to access medical marijuana under certain conditions and with a legal caregiver.
- Recreational use will be limited to adults 21 and older.
- Medical marijuana patients will be able to access dispensaries that will only provide access to them and not the majority of the general public.
All the above-mentioned clauses are a clear indicator that the state is focusing on promoting the ‘medical’ use of marijuana products rather than ‘recreational’ use. This automatically elevates the importance of the Virgin Islands Medical Cannabis Patient Care Act.
Eligibility Requirements
The Virgin Islands OCR is all set to receive medical marijuana applications from patients who have resided for more than 45 days within the region. It is important to note that in order to be eligible for this plan, you need to provide proof of your 45 days stay (travel history, airline bookings, etc,).
The local authorities also require a valid medical marijuana recommendation from you signed by a certified medical physician and clearly stating that you are diagnosed with at least one of the qualifying medical conditions.
Out-of-state individuals can also apply for a temporary Virgin Islands medical marijuana license considering that they already have a valid out-of-state medical marijuana card.
Qualifying Medical Conditions
As per the Virgin Islands marijuana law, a patient must be diagnosed with at least one of the following medical conditions in order to become eligible for a state-authorized medical marijuana card,
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- AIDS/HIV
- Chronic Pain
- Arthritis
- Autism
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Lou Gehrig’s disease
- Cancer
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Diabetes
- Glaucoma
- Hepatitis C
- Opiate Use Disorder
- Hospice Care (terminally ill patients)
- Crohn’s Disease
- Neuropathic Pain
- Ulcerative Colitis
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Huntington’s Disease
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Medical practitioners are also eligible to prescribe marijuana-based treatment if it provides ‘therapeutic or palliative benefit’ to the patient in one way or the other.
How To Apply? A Step-By-Step Guide
The Virgin Islands Office of Cannabis Regulation doesn’t require you to bring any out-of-the-ordinary documents with your to apply for a medical marijuana card. All you need to bring is proof that you’re older than 18 (state ID, driver’s license, etc), a written medical marijuana recommendation from a certified doctor, and proof of payment for the set application fee.
Once you have gathered all the above-mentioned documents, you can follow the following steps to apply for a Virgin Islands medical marijuana card,
- Submit all the required documents to the Virgin Islands Office of Cannabis Regulation along with the $50 application fee.
- Wait for the department to make a decision on your application.
- Once your application will be approved, your Virgin Islands medical marijuana card will be dispatched via mail shortly.
What To Expect During Your Kif Appointment?
Virgin Islands is yet to finalize its OCR program and because of it, the Kif is not actively taking part in providing telemedicine solutions to potential medical marijuana patients within the patient. However, we do utilize our network and experience in this field to guide patients like you throughout the process and help them make the right choices all the way.
Potential Cost
As the Kif is not yet functioning in the Virgin Islands, we can’t offer you discounted telemedicine appointments that’ll help you to bring down the overall cost. For the time being, the average cost of an appointment with a certified medical marijuana physician can cost you around $200 depending upon the time and date of your appointment as well.
Apart from the must-to-pay cost of a medical marijuana appointment, you’ll need to pay a $50 non-refundable application fee to the Virgin Islands Office of Cannabis Regulation. This application fee is for the residents of the Virgin Islands who will get a medical marijuana card with a one-year validity. Non-residents will have to pay around $50-$100 for a temporary medical marijuana license lasting between 5 to 30 days.
Medical Marijuana Reciprocity
It is quite encouraging to know that the Virgin Islands have signed a number of medical marijuana reciprocity agreements with other US states having a valid medical marijuana program. This means that the region does recognize out-of-state medical marijuana cards and validate them for medical marijuana possession, consumption, and purchase within the Virgin Islands. However, out-of-state patients will still require to apply for a temporary medical marijuana license.
Applying As A Caregiver
There is very limited information available regarding the topic as the government of the US Virgin Islands hasn’t addressed this issue elaborately. But yes, you can apply as a caregiver for a medical marijuana patient if you’re one of the parents or the legal guardian of the patient. You’ll still need to provide some additional documents with your separate application for a caregiver as requested by the regulating authority.
How & Where To Buy Medical Marijuana In the Virgin Islands?
A surprising thing to note is that medical marijuana is in fact legal within the US Virgin Islands. However, the cannabis regulatory authority is yet to open regulated dispensaries throughout the region from where medical marijuana patients can purchase the required products.
Is ‘Cultivation’ a better option?
This is where things start to get interesting. The cannabis regulatory authority of the US Virgin Islands doesn’t yet have any regulated medical marijuana dispensaries throughout the region. But having a medical marijuana card does allow you to cultivate your own cannabis.
As per the law, patients are allowed to grow up to 12 cannabis plants within their private spaces in order to fulfill their medical requirements for Cannabis consumption. These plants can be grown with varying growth phases. In most cases, registered caregivers are also allowed to aid with cannabis cultivation.
Virgin Islands Medical Marijuana Laws That You Should Be Aware of!
- Diagnosis of a qualifying medical condition and a written medical marijuana recommendation is a must to apply for a US Virgin Islands medical marijuana card.
- The card permits registered patients to possess 4 ounces of related products and grow up to 12 cannabis plants.
- There are no government-regulated/operated medical cannabis dispensaries within the region.
A caregiver needs to be registered with the Office of Cannabis Regulation and must be approved by the related authority. - The US Virgin Islands does offer medical marijuana reciprocity for out-of-state medical marijuana cards however patients still need to apply for a temporary pass within the region.
FAQs
Are there specific medical marijuana doctors in the Virgin Islands who can recommend the card?
- The state only accepts medical marijuana recommendations signed by certified US Virgin Islands medical marijuana physicians.
Can I use my Medical Marijuana Card from another state in the Virgin Islands?
- Yes, the US Virgin Islands does recognize out-of-state medical marijuana cards.
How long is the Medical Marijuana Card valid in the Virgin Islands?
- In most cases, the medical marijuana card is valid for one year in the US Virgin Islands.
Where can I purchase medical marijuana after obtaining my card in the Virgin Islands?
- There are no state-authorized dispensaries across the region from where you can purchase medical marijuana products so the best possible options are either cultivation or buying required products from neighbouring states.
Are there any restrictions on the amount of medical marijuana I can possess in the Virgin Islands with the card?
- The US Virgin Islands medical marijuana card allows you to possess up to 4 ounces of required medical marijuana products.
Can I grow my own cannabis plants if I have a Medical Marijuana Card in the Virgin Islands?
- Yes, cannabis cultivation is illegal in the US Virgin Islands and you can grow up to 12 cannabis plants within your private residence.
What should I do if I lose my Medical Marijuana Card in the Virgin Islands?
- The best approach in such a scenario will be to apply for a card renewal as soon as possible.
