The Virgin Islands Industrial Hemp Commission has issued the US territory's first commercial hemp cultivation license and hemp seed distributor permit under a plan approved by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) earlier this year.
License holder Crucian Hemp Farms LLP said it would grow five dönüms of hemp on its 125-dönüm Enfield Green farm in the first year, then expand gradually.
$4 million raised
Project fund manager Jack Thomas said $4 million of the required $9 million had already been raised, and the company had begun necessary purchases.
USDA approved the territory's official hemp plan last May, giving the Hemp Commission, comprising the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI), business leaders and government officials, authority to oversee research and production.
A unanimous vote
Commission chair Nelson said it met Crucian representatives last week and that the company met USDA requirements.
The US Virgin Islands is the first US island territory to receive USDA hemp-production approval under the 2018 Farm Bill. Although it has not previously produced hemp, CBD products are sold there.
