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We are coming to St Thomas in March 2015. I've read less than 1 ounce of marijuana has been decriminalized; and it is acceptable to use but could get taken away by local authorities if they choose to. Is this true?
Thanks.
It is completely, criminally against the law in the USVI. You could go to jail if you get caught.
I read this; how does it apply?
A bill that decriminalizes the use of marijuana in the U.S. Virgin Islands is now the law of the land, as the full Senate body voted on Dec. 19 to override Governor de Jongh’s previous veto of the measure.
The new law leaves in place stiff penalties for individuals caught selling the drug and for those caught growing it in bulk. However, for individuals caught with less than 1 oz. of the substance, the penalty has been lowered to a fine of $100 to $200. Law enforcement may also confiscate the marijuana, and if the person in possession is under the age of 18, the minor’s parents or guardian would be notified, and would be required to complete an “approved drug awareness program.” Previously, individuals caught with less than an ounce of marijuana could face jail time.
Speaking to VI Consortium on Sunday, Sen. Terrance “Positive” Nelson, who authored the bill, said, “the trend is evident,” and that decriminalization is different from legalization. He also said decriminalization of marijuana is a matter of changing the penalty, and stated the move has been adopted by most Attorney Generals in the U.S., as they have found it to be more cost effective to decriminalize the substance in lieu of jailing persons for small amounts of possession.
While decriminalization means possessing small amounts of marijuana, less than 1 oz. in the U.S. Virgin Islands, will no longer result in a criminal record or a jail sentence; legalization means consumers face no penalty at all for possessing marijuana. Furthermore, it means the supply side of the business—growing, transportation and retailing—is also legal, according to an article on The Economist.
Nelson thanked his colleagues for supporting the measure, saying, “It will go a long way in easing cost on the judicial system and judicial process.”
Those who voted for and against the measure are as follows:
If you want to chance being hassled if caught with it, go ahead.
Alana33 wrote:
If you want to chance being hassled if caught with it, go ahead.
Really. 😀
