The Premier made the comments during a meeting held on Wednesday, January 13, 2021, at the Fahie Hill community, in the presence of residents and members of the Government side of the House of Assembly (HoA).

Hon Andrew A. Fahie made the comments during a meeting held on Wednesday, January 13, 2021, at the Fahie Hill community, in the presence of residents and members of the Government side of the House of Assembly (HoA).

Hundreds could have been employed - Premier Fahie

Premier Fahie told residents that if the bill was passed months ago, more than one hundred persons could have already been hired as entrepreneurs, “At least 50 of them could have had other persons working with them,” he said.

Hon Fahie took time to explain that the bill sitting on the controversial outgoing Governor Augustus J.U. Jaspert’s desk is not formatted for recreational use, rather for medicinal purposes only.

"Let me show you why persons have to make sure that you educate yourself and don't let people brainwash you... How many of you use hemp seed or hemp seasoning?” he asked the gathering.

“That's marijuana, that’s cannabis, there are a lot of by-products that can be made, even the oil, some sell the oils here," the Premier related.

Hon Fahie said the marijuana plant can be used in many other ways that can bring diversification to the VI economy.

Premier Andrew A. Fahie explain that the bill sitting on the controversial Governor Augustus J.U. Jaspert’s desk is not formatted for recreational use, rather for medicinal purposes only.

Several products could come from plant - Premier

"There is a lot of things that we can do that can make millions and billions of dollars for us in a new era. The hair products, skin products, even certain things in terms of exploring certain areas. So there is a lot of by-products you can get from this and we are aiming to get from it," Hon Fahie said.

Premier Fahie reiterated that the bill must move forward for economic reasons, "We are going to fight that case until it is accented to, but these months of delay is causing delay in diversifying your economy. I really and truly am not with that," he said.

He told residents that he meant no offence to anyone, but some things need to be looked at for the bigger picture. "Financial services have its challenges, the tourism have their challenges but when we have diversification in other areas, it allows us still to have many employees," and influx financial sources he said.