Recreational and medical cannabis are legal in the U.S. Virgin Islands, although certification and sales have yet to begin. After decriminalizing the possession of low quantities of cannabis in 2014, legislators legalized medical marijuana in the territory in 2019. Recreational cannabis legalization followed in January 2023.

Marijuana Laws in the U.S. Virgin Islands

Neither medical nor recreational sales have begun in the U.S. Virgin Islands. As a result, the guidelines indicated below are in flux, and you should stay current on the latest news regarding medical and recreational cannabis laws in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Medical Cannabis Laws

Medical marijuana was legalized in the U.S. Virgin Islands in 2019. Patients with one or more qualifying conditions will be eligible to enroll in the territory’s medical cannabis program once the Office of Cannabis Relations begins accepting applications.

Medical cardholders enjoy more significant possession limits than recreational users. Currently, patients can possess up to 4 ounces of cannabis, 2 ounces of concentrates, and 2 ounces of cannabis products. Cardholders can also cultivate their own cannabis plants, which does not currently appear possible for recreational users, with some exceptions for religious purposes.

Recreational Marijuana Laws

Recreational cannabis was legalized in the U.S. Virgin Islands in early 2023. Although the bill allowing for adult cannabis use on the islands contains a lot of information that will be useful for establishing dispensaries, recreational sales have not yet begun. Still, although recreational customers cannot yet buy from dispensaries, people over 21 can use and possess limited quantities of cannabis. Recreational customers can have 2 ounces of cannabis, half an ounce of concentrate, and 2 ounces of cannabis products.

Currently, cannabis products sold on the islands appear to be taking advantage of loopholes in the 2018 Farm Bill that made hemp products, including hemp-derived delta-9, broadly legal. The general legislation allowing hemp-derived cannabis in the U.S. Virgin Islands also allows CBD and synthetic cannabinoids to be sold without significant regulation.

What to Know About About Medical Cannabis in the U.S. Virgin Islands

It is important to know that while cannabis is legal for recreational and medical use, these kinds of sales have not yet begun from dispensaries. While you may be able to trust more natural cannabinoids like CBD, medical patients should consider waiting for proper cannabis sales to start instead of turning to synthetic cannabis in the meantime.

While a lot of information and regulations have not yet been unveiled, there are some basic things you should know about medical cannabis in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Only Certain Conditions Are Allowed

The following medical conditions are qualifiers for a medical cannabis card, according to U.S. Virgin Islands law:

• Agitation of Alzheimer’s disease
• AIDS/HIV
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), aka Lou Gehrig’s disease
• Arthritis
• Autism
• Cancer
• Chronic pain
• Crohn’s disease
• Diabetes
• Glaucoma
• Hepatitis C
• Hospice care
• Huntington’s disease
• Neuropathic pain
• Ulcerative colitis
• Opiate use disorder
• Parkinson’s disease
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)

Patients with conditions that cause cachexia or wasting, severe nausea, seizures, or severe and persistent muscle spasms are also eligible. Additionally, practitioners may prescribe medical marijuana for “any condition that provides a therapeutic or palliative benefit to their patient.”

Telemedicine Is Not (Yet) Allowed

The Office of Cannabis Relations has not yet opened applications for medical cards. Leafwell cannot currently provide certifications through our telehealth platform, but you are welcome to join our waiting list.

The U.S. Virgin Islands Recognizes Out-of-State Med Cards

The U.S. Virgin Islands has medical marijuana reciprocity, meaning cards from other states and territories will be recognized as valid. Medical patients must still get a temporary card specific to the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Many other states also have forms of reciprocity or at least adult-use cannabis programs. They include:

• Alaska ^
• Arkansas *
• Colorado ^
• Connecticut ^
• Delaware ^
• Guam
• Hawaii *
• Illinois ^
• Maine
• Maryland ^ (as of July 2023)
• Massachusetts
• Michigan (qualifying state must also have reciprocity with Michigan)
• Missouri ^
• Montana
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey *
• New Mexico *
• New York ^
• Oklahoma *
• Pennsylvania (minors only)
• Puerto Rico
• Rhode Island
• Utah
• Washington ^
• Washington D.C.

States marked with * require visitors to complete a visiting patient application for the duration of their stay. States marked with ^ have adult use programs but do not accept out-of-state cards.

Can You Grow Cannabis in the U.S. Virgin Islands?

U.S. Virgin Islands medical marijuana patients can grow up to 12 plants at home, with up to six plants at full maturity. Current guidelines do not appear to allow recreational users to grow cannabis, but religious organizations can apply for a license to grow cannabis for sacramental purposes.

The Bottom Line

Medical and recreational cannabis are legal in the U.S. Virgin Islands, although neither certification nor sales of any kind have begun. Still, while the territory works to establish further guidelines for its medical and recreational programs, prospective patients and adult cannabis users can rejoice in knowing that the pieces are coming into place for sales to begin in the future.

Join the waitlist to get notified if and when online certification has opened up through Leafwell.