QUALIFYING PATIENTS IN US VIRGIN ISLANDS

To become a registered patient, you must be diagnosed by a physician/practitioner with a qualifying medical condition and apply to the Office of Cannabis Regulation. The practitioner and patient must have a bona fide practitioner-patient relationship and meet all requirements.

Eligible conditions:

If you are diagnosed with one of the following conditions, you may be eligible for physician certification as a patient in the US Virgin Islands:

  • Cancer
  • Glaucoma
  • HIV
  • Hepatitis C
  • ALS
  • Crohn's disease
  • Ulcerative colitis
  • Parkinson's disease
  • Huntington's disease
  • Alzheimer's disease
  • PTSD
  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Hospice care
  • Arthritis
  • Diabetes
  • Chronic pain
  • Neuropathic pain
  • The treatment of the following conditions:
    • A chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition or its treatment that produces cachexia or wasting syndrome; severe, debilitating pain; severe nausea; seizures; or severe and persistent muscle spasms, including, but not limited to, those characteristic of multiple sclerosis;
    • Any chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition or its treatment or the symptoms related to any medical condition for which a healthcare practitioner believes the use of medical cannabis will provide a therapeutic or palliative benefit to the patient;
    • Any other medical condition or its treatment added by the Office of Cannabis Regulation (OCR) pursuant to this Chapter.

Benefits of Being a Patient:

As a registered patient in the US Virgin Islands, you will have an affirmative defense in court if you are arrested for the possession of cannabis. You will not lose parental rights in a child custody hearing based on your cannabis use. You will be protected from discrimination by hospitals in the case of an organ transplant; often cannabis users are refused these procedures. A landlord cannot evict you on the grounds of your cannabis use. An employer cannot fire you based on your enrollment in the medical cannabis program.

Becoming a Caregiver:

Must be at least 21 years old, has not been convicted of a disqualifying felony offense, and assists no more than 5 qualifying patients.

Out-of-State Patients:

The US Virgin Islands recognize patient registrations from other states and territories for a period of 45 days. If you plan on being in USVI for a longer period, you must apply for a local medical cannabis registration. For more information about traveling as a medical cannabis patient, check out our Travel Guide.

Home Cultivation:

Specified patients may grow up to 12 plants.

Cannabis Expungement:

In 2023, Governor Albert Bryan Jr. signed a pair of bills to legalize marijuana and to facilitate cannabis expungement. The governor proposed his own legalization proposal back in 2019, known as The Medical Cannabis Patient Care Act, although it was never fully implemented. The Virgin Islands Cannabis Use Act established an “Office of Cannabis Regulation” and under this law anyone aged 21 or older will be able to purchase cannabis products from licensed establishments. This law reaffirms the rights of qualified patients to access cannabis. The Virgin Islands Office of the Attorney General provides a Pardon Application Form.

Medical cannabis patients can find additional resources here

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