Is Marijuana Legal in Saint Vincent and The Grenadines?
Article written by
Dipak HemrajHead of Research and Education
Marijuana is illegal in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), although possession of up to two ounces has been decriminalized. Decriminalization means that possession of two ounces or less is not punishable by prison time.
However, it can incur fines of up to $500 and is subject to other treatment measures, such as being given educational literature on cannabis use, counseling, and rehabilitative care.
Under the Drugs (Prevention of Misuse) Amendment Act of 2018, cannabis possession is considered a ticketable offense. Also, it provides an amendment allowing Vincentians to smoke the herb in the privacy of their homes and places of worship of the Rastafarian faith without punishment.
Medical marijuana has been legalized in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
Medical Marijuana Laws in Saint Vincent and The Grenadines
It is possible to obtain a license for medical marijuana in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Medicinal cannabis can be obtained if a doctor prescribes it for a qualifying condition. Pharmacies and pharmacists dispense medical cannabis in SVG.
What to Know About About Medical Cannabis in Saint Vincent and The Grenadines
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines has recently exported its first shipment of medicinal cannabis to Germany, suggesting that the country’s government is interested in developing a medical cannabis industry. The climate is ideal for such a cash crop, and there is a long history and culture of use amongst the people of the islands.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines has a Medicinal Cannabis Authority (MCA), and it is possible to become a medical cannabis patient in the country if the patient has a qualifying condition and a physician’s approval. The Medicinal Marijuana Industry Act formally legalized medical cannabis and established the medical marijuana industry.
Caribbean countries decriminalizing cannabis include St. Kitts and Nevis, Jamaica, Antigua and Barbuda, Trinidad and Tobago, U.S. Virgin Islands, Grenada and Bermuda. Barbados has also approved medical marijuana.
Can You Grow Cannabis In Saint Vincent and The Grenadines?
It is illegal to grow cannabis in the Caribbean nation. However, it is legal to grow cannabis for medical and scientific purposes with the appropriate licenses and approval by the government.
Some may also be permitted to grow cannabis on their land if they can prove they are a “traditional cultivator.” Cannabis Cultivation Amnesty Act transitions illegal cannabis farmers who have been cultivating and trading cannabis before legalization, giving traditional cultivators the legal right to cultivate medical cannabis on premises up to five acres per traditional cultivator.
The Bottom Line
Cannabis is illegal for recreational use in St Vincent and the Grenadines. However, possession of up to two ounces of cannabis flower has been decriminalized, and there is a medical cannabis program established under the Medicinal Cannabis Industry Act.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are CBD and Hemp legal in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines?
Hemp-derived CBD products are available to purchase in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. CBD is also available for medicinal purposes. Qualifying patients may be prescribed CBD oil from licensed companies.
Is Cannabis grown in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines?
Although unlicensed cultivation of cannabis is illegal in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the Caribbean islands have long been associated with the growth and distribution of cannabis, even before medicinal regulations. Cannabis is still a major cash crop for many of the inhabitants of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and likely will remain so for many years.