The Cannabis Licensing Act sets the framework for the establishment of a medical marijuana industry in the BVI.

In an interview with 284 Media, Premier Fahie said the government was expecting to earn millions this year as many people would have found jobs in the medical cannabis industry.

“I could only say that if it was passed already we would have already been able to move towards having the three months crop – because the planting of it takes three months and we would have already moved towards over one hundred jobs and we would have already moved towards at least a couple millions of dollars in our economy,” Premier Fahie said.

He continued: “We are gonna wait till it is assented to. It has pushed us a little behind with that industry with the revenue that we had already projected for this year.”

The BVI constitution doesn’t demand that the governor give assent to any law within a specified timeframe.

In his interview on Friday, Premier Fahie said this is an area in the constitution that the government is seeking to change.

“It is one of the areas in our constitutional review that we have to ensure that we strengthen in the best interest of the people of the Virgin Islands,” Premier Fahie said.

He said once the bill is assented, a commission will be set up to regulate the industry and set guidelines for locals who want to participate.

Partnership with big investor

Premier Fahie also said the government is working with an investor who is expected to help the BVI tap into the export market. However he refused to name the investor.

“I wouldn’t release the investor’s name right now, but when the time comes we’ll let them know. All I can say is that the investor will be known, it’s not a secret, it’s a reputable person that has come and helped us move in this direction with the industry, ” Premier Fahie said.

Earlier in September, BVI News sought to determine whether the Governor had any specific problems with the bill that could cause any delay in its assent. The Governor’s office responded: “He’s currently considering it [and] has yet to grant assent.”