An ongoing issue in the BVI not helped by the deep water the prior premier Andrew Fahie got himself into recently
Cocaine smuggling trial of ex-BVI premier, Andrew Fahie, delayed again
New Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has indicated that the BVI’s laws give elected leaders the authority to pass cannabis legislation without the United Kingdom’s approval.
The BVI’s Cannabis Licensing Bill has been stuck at the Governor’s Office since 2020 because the United Kingdom has some issues with it. Speaking on Tola Radio last week, Premier Wheatley said he has raised the matter with new Governor Daniel Pruce even though his assent isn’t needed.
“Our laws currently allow us to legalize marijuana even without seeking the assent of the Governor,” Premier Wheatley told host Floyd “Heritage” Burnett.
“So then why are we here if that truly is the case?” Heritage asked. “They didn’t stop the Greedy Bill or anything else but they stopped that?”
In response, Premier Wheatley said he doesn’t know the real reason the bill hasn’t been assented to, adding that the UK is a big exporter of cannabis. But he didn’t explain why his government has not passed the Cannabis bill, since the Governor’s assent isn’t needed.
In the meantime, the Premier said the Cannabis law, which is expected to boost the BVI’s economy, is a priority that his government will focus on after the COI reforms have been completed.
“We’re seeking to engage with them (the UK) and see how we can move forward because the Foreign Secretary actually wrote to us and said why they haven’t assented to the legislation. But it’s a priority for us once we get the Commission of Inquiry behind us,” Premier Wheatley said.
The BVI’s cannabis law was brought to the fore once again, amid news that the USVI is taking concrete steps to bring their Cannabis law into force.
