An act amending title 7 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 13, subchapter III by prohibiting the possession, sale, or manufacture of tetrahydrocannabinolic acid,
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Enacted
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 2 mixed.
Higher fines and license loss for violations
A first violation costs $2,500. A second violation within 12 months costs at least $5,000. After three or more violations within 18 months, your business license may be revoked after notice and a hearing. You keep the right to appeal. Police, licensing, and health departments can still seize illegal products, make arrests, and issue citations. Fines are split 25% each to the Agriculture Revolving Fund, Consumer Protection Fund, Cannabis Fund, and Health Revolving Fund.
New retailer license with $15,000 fee
The law creates an Intoxicating Hemp/Artificially Derived Cannabinoid Retailer License so stores can sell these products legally. The license costs $15,000. Licenses cannot go to gas stations, convenience stores, or groceries, and stores cannot be within 250 feet of a school or church. The number of these licenses is capped (some sections allow up to six, another allows up to two). Retailers must check buyers are 21 or older, follow testing by an ISO‑certified or approved lab, and use child‑resistant, tamper‑evident packaging that does not look like candy. These retailers must also follow the same statutory rules that apply to dispensaries. The Office must issue ID, testing, packaging, and tracking rules within 90 days.
Temporary pause on THCA and delta-8 sales
Retailers may not sell or distribute THCA, delta‑6, delta‑8, delta‑10, or similar intoxicating cannabinoid products until rules are issued and retail licenses are in place. Retailers who have these products must tell the Department of Health. The Department will secure the products and send an inventory to the Office of Cannabis Regulation. The Office and the Department will create a plan to lawfully dispose of the products.
New rules and permits for intoxicating hemp
The law tightens what counts as hemp. It now counts THCA when measuring delta‑9 THC (hemp must be 0.3% or less on a dry‑weight basis). Products with lab‑made or chemically changed cannabinoids are treated as intoxicating and not ordinary hemp. You may not sell, make, or possess these intoxicating hemp products without a permit from the Office of Cannabis Regulation. You must get that permit before you apply for a business license with the licensing department. The Office of Cannabis Regulation runs the permit process and sets the permit fees.
Hemp program fees earmarked for enforcement
Money the Industrial Hemp Commission collects and deposits under 7 V.I.C. § 204 must be used only to run and enforce the hemp law. The money cannot be used for other purposes.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
There is no primary sponsor on record.
Cosponsors
Clifford A. Joseph, Sr.
legislature
Hubert L. Frederick
legislature
Marise C. James
legislature
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
Enacted
1/23/2026legislatureTo Governor
1/14/2026legislatureFloor
1/12/2026legislatureRules
10/9/2025legislatureIntroduced
6/24/2025legislatureCommittee
2/10/2025legislature
Bill Text
Enacted Act
1/23/2026
Bill Text
6/24/2025
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