St. Croix Prepares for UberSoca Cruise Arrival and J’ouvert Celebrations; Additional Community Updates Provided
Cannabis Board Seeks Help To Streamline Licensing Process
During the monthly Cannabis Advisory Board meeting on Monday, the board unanimously approved V.I. Office of Cannabis Regulations (OCR) Executive Director Joanne Moorehead’s request to seek assistance from the V.I. Property and Procurement Department (DPP) for the cannabis approval application process. This decision came after a four-year process described by Board Chair Dr. Catherine Kean as a “big deal.
“The intention of Act 8680 is that there be a merit-based application process or a dispensing cultivation licensing. There’s a lot of language in the act 8680 that requires us to use the GVI RFP process ran through Property and Procurement for other licenses and certifications,” said Moorehead.
Moorehead said that the department would prefer to utilize the current technology for the business license application process, but this would require approximately a year to implement with the developers.
However, in order to kick-start the licensing process, Moorehead mentioned that they have been tasked to develop a temporary one-time procedure. “Still a merit-based process but will help us with some dispensing and cultivation licensing. Hopefully in 2025 we can be able to see cultivation and open dispensary doors,” said Moorehead.
Through DPP, Moorehead said that OCR will work to ensure their application requirements conform to the Virgin Islands government procurement requirements.
“We will be essentially initiating “request for qualifications,” or “RFQs” through that process in GVI Buy which is already setup to receive application packages. Using that process we can open the RFQ process with our specific requirements,” Moorehead said.
“It is not a true process that the Department of Property and Procurement would normally use because they have their process in system, but our governing legislation has very specific requirements. So, it is the unique process for this particular purpose, so it does require us to work closely with DPP to make sure we are conforming to our requirements as well as their requirements,” she continued.
Through DPP, the process needs to be opened for a minimum of 60 days per legislation, and then OCR will receive those applications from the GVI Buy website.
“We anticipate due to the amount of information for the packages to be large. Once the deadline has passed OCR will review the applications. OCR will conduct training of the evaluation committee in the use of a rubric that has been developed specifically for this application evaluation in ensuring the integrity of the process,” Moorehead said.
After completing this process, the first set of licenses will be issued to the selected applicants. There will be up to three dispensary licenses for St. Croix, seven cultivation licenses for St. Croix, three dispensary licenses for St. Thomas, seven cultivation licenses for St. Thomas, and one dispensary license and up to three cultivation licenses for St. John. At the end of 2025, the board will then reconvene again to discuss more licenses and renewing approved licenses.
When Cannabis Advisory Board Member Christopher Jones asked about a timeline for getting the information online with Property and Procurement, Moorehead said, “I can’t speak for DPP, but I am certainly hoping to plug our information into their system, which I hope won’t take too long. “
“At this space and time this is the fairest way of moving forward and most expeditious way of moving forward so that we can meet the demands of our patients. The public has been waiting for this for four years,” said Kean.
Other items on the agenda discussed were fee scheduling for tiers one to three. “The cultivation licenses are allowed for flowering plants from 51 to 1,000. “We’ve broken that number into three tiers and the associated application and licensing fee. A one-time fee every year,” said Moorehead. Tier one is at $2,500, tier two is at $5,000, and tier three is at $7,500.
Also discussed were the request for four positions in OCR enforcement, the approval of their fiscal year budget, and the approval of sacramental fees, which the board agreed upon: $500 for a minimum of 10 members.
Present for the meeting were Kean, Moorehead, Richard Evangelista, Nichole Simms, Positive Nelson, and Christoper Jones, a proxy for Dr. Gary Jett.
Celebrate Red Ribbon Week: Promoting Drug and Alcohol Prevention
The Virgin Islands Police Department and the Virgin Islands Office of Highway Safety proudly announce their participation in Red Ribbon Week, observed from Oct. 23 to 31. This year’s theme, “Celebrate Life. Live Drug and Alcohol Free,” highlights the critical importance of preventing substance abuse among teens and making healthy lifestyle choices that ensure safe driving.
Red Ribbon Week originated as a tribute to Drug Enforcement Administration agent
Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, who lost his life fighting against drug trafficking. Today, it’s a
nationwide effort that brings communities together to fight against substance abuse, including alcohol misuse. For young drivers, the risks are especially high, and it’s important to recognize how these choices can have life-altering consequences, according to the press release.
Throughout Red Ribbon Week, VIOHS will provide various educational events. These
activities aim to raise awareness about the dangers of drug and alcohol use and their direct
correlation to impaired driving. Local schools and organizations are encouraged to participate by holding discussions on substance abuse prevention and sharing resources that promote safe driving habits, the press release stated.
“Our mission is to create a safer community by focusing on the prevention of drug and
alcohol abuse,” said VIOHS Director Daphne O’Neal. “Red Ribbon Week provides an
invaluable opportunity to engage with teens about the serious consequences of substance use and inspire them to make choices that lead to healthier, safer lives—both on and off the
road.”
Get Involved!
VIPD/ VIOHS invites everyone to participate in Red Ribbon Week by:
▪ Wearing Red: Show your support by wearing red ribbons or clothing to raise awareness
among peers.
▪ Sharing Resources: Provide teens with information on the dangers of impaired driving and
substance use, showing how these choices impact lives.
Always Remember:
Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving; If You Feel Different, You Drive Different.
For more information, visit www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving or www.redribbon.org.
To request a traffic safety presentation, contact the Virgin Islands Office of Highway Safety
through Director Daphne O’Neal at daphne.oneal@vipd.vi.gov, Impaired Driving
Coordinator K’ Tonya Petrus at k’tonya.petrus@vi.gov, via telephone at 340-772-3025, or
340-513-5291.
Eugene E. Stevenson Dies
Randall “Randy” Macedon Dies
$4.8M in Federal Funding Boosts Crime Prevention and Justice Programs in the USVI
Approximately $4.8 million in federally funded grants has been awarded to criminal justice entities in the Virgin Islands, including, law enforcement agencies and the Courts, as well as to non-profit organizations throughout the territory that provide juvenile justice and crime prevention programs, in addition to direct services for crime victims, including survivors of domestic and date-related violence and sexual assault, the Virgin Islands Law Enforcement Planning Commission (LEPC) announced.
“LEPC is committed to advancing Governor Albert Bryan’s vision of safe communities throughout the Virgin Islands. Our recent awarding of these important federal funds to support law enforcement agencies, community-based organizations, as well as other criminal justice stakeholders, is a significant step in our comprehensive three (3) part strategic approach to support this vision. Our strategic approach includes (1) establishing a Virgin Islands criminal justice data repository, (2) collaborations that strengthen our criminal justice system by identifying and closing gaps, and (3) aligning resources to sustainably support keeping the Virgin Islands safe,” said LEPC Director Moleto A. Smith Jr. LEPC serves as the State Administering Agency (SAA) for federal United States Justice Department (USDOJ) grant funds awarded to the U.S. Virgin Islands. Funding for these initiatives is made available through the USDOJ Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants (JAG), Violence Against Women Act (STOP) Grants (VAWA), Victims of Crime Act Grants (VOCA), the Residential and Substance Abuse Treatment of State Prisoners Program Grants (RSAT) and other federal USDOJ formula grant programs, according to the press release. According to Director Smith, “Earlier this year, LEPC issued several Requests for Proposals (RFPs) related to federal grant programs under our oversight. The awarding of these funds to respective entities and organizations is a result of this process. The LEPC team and the newly established independent review committee worked diligently to accomplish this important milestone, which resulted in the awarding of over thirty (30) awards to criminal justice and community-based entities. I extend thanks to everyone involved in this process.” Initiatives funded through these awards include, but are not limited to: • Community-based programs for at-risk youths, such as afterschool, outreach and other programs with a crime prevention focus • Technology upgrades aimed at enhancing the crime-fighting capabilities of the VIPD • Treatment services for incarcerated persons with substance abuse challenges • Direct therapeutic, advocacy and wraparound services for survivors of domestic and date-related violence, as well as survivors of sexual assault • Legal services for victims of violent crimes • Supplies and related equipment for Medical Examiner activities • Communication equipment for law enforcement agency • Support for previously justice-involved individuals • Victim advocate services through the Courts, as well as other support for the CourtsFlorence Eileen Mitchell Dies
St Thomas-St John Teens To Explore Self-Care and Mental Health at Upcoming Workshop
A “Teen Mental Health and Wellness Workshop for Teens” in the St. Thomas-St. John district will be offered in coordination with the V.I.Health Department, Behavioral Unit. The sessions will focus on self-care, self-love, stress management, healthy coping skills, mental health literacy, and access to available resources and services, the V.I. Education Department announced.
Dates:
November 18 – 22, 2024
1-hour session, which can be conducted in the classroom or by grade level
Target Audience:
St. Thomas-St. John district
Students in grades seventh-12th
Contact:
DeShawn S. Williams, Program Manager for Social Emotional Wellness
DPW: Road Work To Begin Tuesday on King Street
DPW contractor – Vl Paving Inc. – will commence road repairs on King Street in Downtown Christiansted on St. Croix Tuesday at 9 a.m., starting from the bakery and heading east towards Government House, the Publick Works Department announced.
The department requests that all vehicles be removed from the site to allow roadwork to continue as scheduled.
Please adhere to onsite flaggers and posted directives while work is in progress.
Consider the Source with Adisha Penn
We had a blast at GERS’ inaugural Havensight Fridays — and if you missed it, catch the recap as you plan for next month’s event! Host Adisha Penn also recaps the week’s biggest headlines, including an extension of the energy State of Emergency — there’s always something new on Consider the Source.
