In a major step toward regulating its emerging cannabis industry, the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) has partnered with Metrc, a leader in cannabis compliance and tracking technology. This agreement will introduce a sophisticated seed-to-sale monitoring system aimed at ensuring transparency, consumer safety, and compliance across both the medical and adult-use cannabis markets in the territory.
Strengthening Oversight in a Growing Industry
The USVI has steadily advanced its cannabis laws in recent years. The territory first approved medical marijuana in 2019 through the Medical Cannabis Patient Care Act, signed by Governor Albert Bryan. This laid the foundation for a more comprehensive cannabis framework, which expanded with the passage of the Cannabis Use Act in 2022, officially legalizing adult-use cannabis in early 2023. Now, the Office of Cannabis Regulation (OCR) is spearheading efforts to establish a regulated marketplace.
OCR Executive Director Joanne Moorehead emphasized the importance of the new partnership, stating, “Working with Metrc will allow the OCR to implement an efficient and reliable tracking system for cannabis businesses, creating a stable and secure market that promotes economic opportunities while ensuring compliance.”
How Metrc’s System Will Work
Metrc’s track-and-trace technology will provide USVI regulators and licensed cannabis operators with real-time monitoring capabilities. Using a combination of RFID tags and cloud-based software, the platform records key data points throughout the entire cannabis lifecycle—from cultivation and production to testing, distribution, and final sale.
CEO of Metrc, Michael Johnson, expressed confidence in the system’s impact: “Governor Bryan and the Virgin Islands government are focused on building a best-in-class cannabis regulatory structure, and we are honored to be part of that effort. Our technology will help establish a market that prioritizes safety, integrity, and long-term industry growth.”
Bringing Transparency to Consumers
In addition to improving oversight, Metrc’s technology will enhance consumer access to product information. Through its Metrc Retail ID™ feature, businesses will be able to generate QR codes that link directly to detailed lab results, product origins, and authenticity details. This system helps promote consumer confidence while also reducing packaging waste and streamlining inventory management.
Potential Impact on the Virgin Islands’ Cannabis Market
The introduction of Metrc’s platform is expected to drive several key benefits:
- Regulatory Compliance: Comprehensive tracking ensures that cannabis products remain within the legal supply chain and are not diverted to unregulated markets.
- Consumer Safety: Accurate product data allows consumers to make informed choices while ensuring that only tested and approved cannabis reaches the market.
- Economic Growth: A well-regulated industry can attract investment, create jobs, and generate tax revenue to support local initiatives.
- Public Health Protections: In the case of recalls, Metrc’s system enables rapid product identification and removal, mitigating potential health risks.
Metrc’s Expanding Role in Cannabis Regulation
This agreement marks Metrc’s second major partnership with a U.S. territory, following a similar deal with Guam in 2021. The company continues to work with states and territories nationwide to establish regulatory infrastructure that supports safe and legally compliant cannabis markets.
What’s Next for the USVI Cannabis Market?
As implementation of the Metrc system begins, stakeholders across the U.S. Virgin Islands are looking forward to a well-structured, transparent, and efficiently regulated cannabis industry. With consumer safety and regulatory compliance at the forefront, the territory aims to build a market that benefits businesses, residents, and the local economy alike.