The V.I. Office of Cannabis Regulation is gearing up to host its first Cannabis Compliance Education Summit next month, designed to help future licensees navigate the complexities of operating within a regulated cannabis industry.
During Wednesday’s Cannabis Advisory Board meeting, OCR Executive Director Joanne Moorehead emphasized the importance of compliance and education for the territory’s emerging cannabis businesses.
“Unlike some of the other industries here in the territory, regulated cannabis is very compliance-heavy,” said Moorehead. “There are a lot of requirements, a lot of rules and regulations that are integral to maintaining a sound and working regulated cannabis space.”
Recognizing the challenges that new licensees may face, the OCR will host two daylong, in-person summits on St. Thomas on Nov. 3 and on St. Croix on Nov. 4. The events will bring together cannabis professionals with experience from other regulated markets across the United States.
“It’s not just OCR providing information,” Moorehead explained. “We’ve invited cannabis professionals to talk about best operational practices for maintaining and sustaining compliant businesses. It benefits no one if we issue licenses to people who can’t stay compliant or sustain operations.”
Moorehead encouraged all prospective applicants and license holders to attend “armed with questions” and take advantage of the opportunity to engage directly with experts.
In addition to the summit announcement, Moorehead provided an update on the status of cultivation and micro-cultivation license applications.
“We are actively working on those, and I am hoping that next week — the week of October 14 to 17 — we can contact the majority of cultivation applicants with responses on whether they are being awarded provisional licenses or micro-cultivation permits,” she said.
She clarified that successful applicants will first receive provisional licenses, allowing them to move into the next phase of operational preparation, such as build out, obtaining business licenses, and completing safety and environmental inspections before being granted a certificate to operate.
“There is still a process,” Moorehead noted. “We’re making sure that what’s built matches what was proposed and that all the appropriate agency documentation and inspections are in place before any business opens its doors,” she said.
Moorehead also reminded the public that the deadline for Cannabis Dispensary License Applications has been extended to Oct. 15. Once applicants complete and submit part one, they will receive an application number or Unique ID on the confirmation screen, which must be used to complete and submit part two in the same manner.
Applicants are reminded that applications will not be considered complete without payment. The $10,000 application fee must be paid on or before the Oct. 15 deadline at 3 p.m. Payments can be made in person at the OCR/DLCA offices on St. Croix or St. Thomas, where cashier hours are 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The deadline to submit Part 2 of the application is Dec. 19.
Responding to Chair Dr. Catherine Kean’s question regarding the function of the Research and Development Cannabis License, which allows licensees to focus on genetics and plant innovation, Moorehead explained, “It’s intended for those heavy on genetics and clones. It provides an opportunity to grow a larger number of plants, sell clones and seeds, and develop new genetics. For example, humidity-resistant strains would be particularly valuable here in the Virgin Islands.”
She added that the OCR looks forward to seeing “innovative and creative minds” contribute to the local cannabis industry through research and genetic development.
Other office updates included the hiring of compliance auditors and the commencement of training for enforcement officers.
Although the board was unable to vote on the acceptance of last month’s minutes due to a lack of quorum, Kean noted that most board members serve as commissioners for other departments, and meetings are organized around their availability.
The Cannabis Advisory Board tentatively scheduled its next meeting for Nov. 5 at 2 p.m.
With compliance training, license decisions, and R&D opportunities advancing, Moorehead said she is optimistic about the territory’s progress.
“We’re setting our industry up for success,” she concluded. “This is an exciting step forward.”
For more updates, visit the OCR website at ocr.vi.gov or email info.ocr@ocr.vi.gov.
