The U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) is set to become the next jurisdiction in the country to legalize marijuana, with a bill awaiting imminent action from the pro-reform governor. The sponsor wants to be clear, however, that the legislation is not meant to be an economic panacea for the territory, even if it might bolster tourism and help straighten up the existing medical cannabis program.
Sen. Janelle Sarauw (I) told Marijuana Moment in a phone interview on Tuesday that she hasn’t heard from the governor’s office about his intentions for her legalization bill that the legislature delivered to his desk late last month. But she said it would be “foolish” of Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. (D) “not to sign it,” especially given his repeated campaign pledges backing the reform in general even if he differs on specific provisions.
The relationship between the senator and governor as it relates to cannabis legalization has been tense, despite the fact that both support ending prohibition and creating a regulated market. Bryan publicly pressured Sarauw to file her bill as it was being finalized, and the senator has been critical of the governor’s own earlier reform proposal.
Sarauw said that it was imperative that the
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