Senate President Frett-Gregory Shepherds Landmark Adult Use Cannabis Legislation in Final Session

December 30, 2022

St. Thomas, USVI – Senate President Donna A. Frett-Gregory thanks her colleagues for working collaboratively to pass Bill No. 34-0345 – the Adult Use Cannabis Legislation. As a result of today’s vote, the Virgin Islands joins 21 states and the District of Columbia to legalize the adult use of cannabis for recreational purposes.

The path to enact Adult Use Cannabis Legislation has been rocky and winding, stated Senate President Frett-Gregory. Moving this legislation has been a heavy lift. As Senate President it was important to me that we did not delay this measure to the 35th as it has been before us since the 33rd Legislature, stated Frett-Gregory. In October 2021, I led a delegation of my colleagues and members of the Executive Branch, to include the Governor, to Colorado to explore Adult Use Cannabis implementation. While there we met with legislators, practitioners and business owners to better understand the impact of enacting cannabis legislation for recreational use on all levels from seed to sale. It was critical that all senators, whether they were in support or not, were fully informed of the relevant issues regarding the legislation.

Amendment No. 34-699, offered today in the nature of a substitute, was proposed by the majority of senators in the Legislature as the Adult Use Cannabis Legislation. This monumental substitute was possible due to collaborative work. The passage of the legislation signifies to our community that the deliberative process of our institution works.

“Concluding the last session as the Senate President of the 34th Legislature, it is my distinct privilege to have the body’s successful collaboration for this measure to close out the term. I have seen growth and political maturity in all of us. Under my leadership, we have moved significant legislation for the people of the Virgin Islands. This measure, like the other significant legislation passed in the 34th, will require the institution to fully utilize its oversight responsibility to ensure that the Virgin Islands is made better through its passage. It has been an honor and a humbling experience to serve as the Senate President of the 34th Legislature,” concluded Senate President Donna Frett-Gregory.

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CONTACT:

Jamila Russell

Legislative Director

Office of Senate President Donna A. Frett-Gregory

jrussell@legvi.org

340-227-2348