Virgin Islands Cannabis Advisory Board (VICAB)

The Virgin Islands Cannabis Advisory Board, VICAB for short, is the public-private board that advises the Office of Cannabis Regulation and recommends rules and policy for the territory’s cannabis program. It was established under the Medical Cannabis Patient Care Act and continues under Act 8680, which consolidated the USVI’s medical and adult-use cannabis framework in January 2023.

What VICAB does

VICAB is the standing deliberative body for cannabis policy in the Virgin Islands. Its work includes:

Reviewing and recommending rules drafted by the OCR before they are promulgated.
Meeting in public session and submitting reports to the Legislature.
Recommending policy responses to market conditions, enforcement gaps, and federal developments.
Advising on research and workforce development partnerships with the University of the Virgin Islands.

VICAB does not issue licenses. That authority rests with the OCR Director. VICAB is the venue where the rules that shape the licenses are debated.

Composition

Under Act 8680 § 777, VICAB has eleven voting members plus the OCR Director as ex officio, non-voting. The voting seats are drawn from specific public and private sector constituencies:

One Farming Representative
One Expert in Cannabis Technology
One Economist
One University of the Virgin Islands Representative
One Department of Health Representative
Three Health Care Practitioners, including one pharmacist
One Department of Agriculture Representative
One Disability Advocate
One Naturopathic Medicine Representative

Members are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Legislature. Bill 35-0283 updated the term structure: the three-year term for members appointed under the original Medical Cannabis Patient Care Act began anew on January 18, 2023, the enactment date of Act 8680.

Meetings

VICAB is required to meet at least quarterly and to take testimony and public comment on proposed rules. Meeting notices and minutes are published by the OCR.

Where VICAB sits in the broader structure

Legislature. Writes the statute (Act 8680, Act 9072, any future amendments).
Office of Cannabis Regulation. Runs the program day to day under the statute and the approved rules.
Cannabis Advisory Board (VICAB). Reviews and recommends rules to the OCR. Takes public comment. Reports to the Legislature.
Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs (DLCA). Parent agency of the OCR. Issues business licenses and carries out DLCA-side enforcement, including the halt order on intoxicating hemp products under Act 9072.
Department of Health. Handles medical cannabis patient certifications and shares quality-control responsibility with OCR on testing.

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