The Government of the U.S. Virgin Islands (GVI) has contracted with cannabis regulatory tech co. Metrc to support its medical and adult-use cannabis markets, as well as to combat the illicit market and safeguard the health and well-being of consumers.
GVI legalized medical cannabis in 2019 when Governor Albert Bryan signed the Medical Cannabis Patient Care Act. The Cannabis Use Act to legalize adult-use cannabis was then passed by the territorial legislature in 2022, which Governor Bryan signed into law in January 2023.
Legalizing adult-use marijuana not only helps combat the illicit market, but it also helps boost the local economy.
“Legal access to recreational marijuana offers substantial benefits for both residents and the local economy,” says a Metrc spokesperson. “It creates opportunities for entrepreneurship and job growth, as retail shops and cultivation facilities will likely employ local workers, helping to lower unemployment and boost economic activity. Additionally, tax revenue from cannabis sales can be reinvested in things like public services and infrastructure, enhancing community well-being.”
Combating the illicit market in the Virgin Islands
As with any region moving to legalized cannabis, the illicit market remains a challenge. Unregulated products often bypass safety standards, posing risks to public health and safety.
Part of Metrc’s goal in their contact with GVI is to “strengthen regulatory oversight, curb illicit activity and create a safer, more transparent marketplace for consumers,” says the spokesperson.
How can they accomplish this? With their seed-to-sale tracking system.
“This ensures all products remain within the regulated supply chain, preventing diversion to the illicit market,” the spokesperson explains. “For a market just coming to fruition like in the Virgin Islands, Metrc helps establish transparency and provides regulators and licensees with a tool for compliance, tracking inventory in real-time and maintaining accurate records.”
Metrc Retail ID
Alongside Metrc’s seed-to-sale tracking system, licensees in the Virgin Islands will also have access to Metrc Retail ID, which allows businesses to generate QR codes for item-level identification. Consumers with smartphones can then scan the code to access product information such as origin, authenticity, lab results and more.
“Metrc Retail ID unlocks valuable supply chain data and makes it accessible to consumers, fostering transparency in the cannabis market,” says the spokesperson. “For retailers, it streamlines the intake process, reduces the need for secondary labeling and frees up time to focus on customer service. Additionally, by eliminating excess labeling, it minimizes waste and optimizes inventory management.”
