The U.S. Virgin Islands legalized medical cannabis under the Medical Cannabis Patient Care Act (2019) and enacted the comprehensive Virgin Islands Cannabis Use Act (Act 8680) on January 18, 2023, legalizing adult-use, medical, and sacramental cannabis for adults 21+. The Office of Cannabis Regulation (OCR) administers the program. Adults may possess up to 2 ounces of flower, 14 grams of concentrate, and 1 ounce of cannabis products. As of early 2026, the program is pre-operational: ten conditional dispensary licenses have been issued across St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John, with 4–5 expected to become fully operational by fall 2026. Cultivation operators are expected to begin planting in spring 2026. License caps are set at 7 dispensaries each for St. Thomas and St. Croix, and 3 for St. John. Inter-island cannabis transport remains an unresolved regulatory issue under Act 8680.
Ask the Expert about U.S. Virgin IslandsVirgin Islands Cannabis Use Act, Act 8680 (2023); Medical Cannabis Patient Care Act (2019)
Office of Cannabis Regulation (OCR)