Key takeaways:

• Hemp Industry Regulations:
  • Virgin Islands Hemp Plan
• Licenses and permits available:
  • Grower license
  • Processor license
  • Growing/processor license
  • Hemp product retailer license
  • Transporter permit
  • Handler permit
  • Seed distributor permit
• Products legal:
  • “It is unclear if CBD in other forms and formulations may be sold. According to the press release, issued on July 8 2024, the only legal hemp foods for humans and animals are those that do not contain CBD or THC, hulled hemp seeds, hemp seed protein, and hemp seed oil. Also, cosmetics products containing CBD or maximum 0.3% THC are allowed.”

Virgin Islands Hemp Legalization

On April 26, 2016, the U.S. Virgin Islands enacted Act No. 7868, giving the Department of Agriculture and the University of the Virgin Islands as well as the Industrial Hemp Commission (collectively the “Department”) the authority to oversee the research of hemp and to establish an industrial hemp program.

Virgin Islands have a USDA approved Hemp Plan.

What Can Hemp Be Used For in the Virgin Islands

In the Virgin Islands, hemp can be used for fiber, seed, hemp seed oil, extraction of CBD, food, body care, paper, fuel, clothing material and building materials. However, hemp flower, CBD gummies, CBD or THC drink additives and pre-rolled hemp cigarettes cannot be sold to consumers.

Hemp Licenses and Permits Available in Virgin Islands

The licenses listed below are issued by the Department.

Fees can be estimated for each license and permit type using a tool provided by the Virgin Islands government.

Licensing Process

In order to obtain a license, the applicant must submit a complete application to the Department with all the required information and the relevant application fee. The Department has a guide on how to apply.

Information required to be submitted with the application is not limited to:

• Full name, address and contact information of the applicant and key participants.
• If the applicant is a business entity, the type of the business entity.
• Employer Identification Number.
• Name, address and full legal description of the site where hemp will be grown, produced or handled.
• GPS coordinates of the approximate center of the growing field or building entrance.
• If the applicant intends to cultivate hemp, the area in acres of each field where hemp will be cultivated or the square footage of the growing area inside a greenhouse.
• A set of the applicant’s and key participants’ fingerprints and any other information necessary to carry out a criminal history check.

Renewal

Renewal applications must be submitted to the Department every year between October 1^st and November 15^th. The renewal fees include an application fee and license fees which are the same as for the initial application.

Hemp Product Retailer License

This license is issued by the Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs and allows to establish a store that sells hemp and hemp-derived products. This license does not allow to sell CBD gummies, CBD or THC drink additives, hemp flower or pre-rolled hemp cigarettes that are prohibited in the Virgin Islands. The license costs $260 and if the applicant is already licensed as a retailer, they can have their license updated for an application fee of $50.

Virgin Islands Hemp Industry Stats

The first hemp production license was issued on December 23, 2020, to Crucian Hemp Farms. Crucian Hemp Farms received hemp grower, hemp seed distributor and hemp transporter licenses. It intends to cultivate and harvest 125 acres of CBD-rich hemp, planning to harvest up to 3 times a year with estimated yield of up to 4000 pounds of dry weight per acre.

As of December 2024, there were 106 licensed hemp product retailers in the Virgin Islands.

Virgin Islands Hemp Industry Infographics

Hemp CBD Retailer Business Plan Sample, Virgin Islands

Virgin Islands Cannabis Market