Are you looking to apply for a cannabis cultivation license in the U.S. Virgin Islands? Whether you’re planning a micro-cultivation or full-scale grow operation, now is the time to prepare.
The Office of Cannabis Regulations (OCR) will officially begin accepting marijuana cultivation license applications on March 31, 2025—for both standard cultivation licenses and micro-cultivation permits.
In this guide, our USVI cannabis consultants explain everything you need to know about how to apply for a cannabis cultivation license in the U.S. Virgin Islands—from eligibility and license types to timelines and required documents.
📅 Key Timeline:
- March 31, 2025: Applications open for both standard cannabis cultivation licenses and micro-cultivation permits
- Remaining license types (retail, manufacturing, testing, lounges) expected mid to late 2025
One key thing to note is that cannabis cultivation applicants must begin cannabis production within six months of license issuance.
🌿 Types of Cannabis Grow Licenses in the U.S. Virgin Islands
✅ Standard Cannabis Cultivation License
- Grow up to 500–1,000 flowering plants
- Designed for large-scale, commercial operations
- Must secure a compliant facility
- Island-specific license caps apply
✅ Micro-Cultivation Permit
- Grow up to 50 flowering and 200 immature plants
- Requires registration as a farmer with DLCA and Dept. of Agriculture
- No more than one permit per person or location
- Lower fees and fewer barriers to entry
📌 Important: Both USVI cannabis cultivation license types follow a merit-based application process—only top-scoring applicants will be awarded a license.
🗺 License Caps by Island
OCR will issue a limited number of cannabis cultivation licenses for each main island:
| Island | Standard Cultivation Licenses | Micro-Cultivation Permits |
|---|---|---|
| St. Thomas | Up to 15 | TBD |
| St. John | Up to 5 | TBD |
| St. Croix | Up to 15 | TBD |
📢 Tip: Competition is expected to be fierce. Your success depends on submitting a complete, strategic, and compliant application.
🧾 How to Apply for a Cannabis Cultivation License in USVI
Step 1: Understand the Laws & Regulations
Start by reading the Virgin Islands Cannabis Use Act (Act 8680) and its amendments (Act 8925), along with the final OCR rules and regulations released in 2024.
Familiarity with these laws and regulations is critical for ensuring compliance in your application.
Step 2: Choose the Right License Type
Determine whether a US Virgin Island cannabis micro-cultivation permit or standard grow license fits your business goals, capital, and scale.
✅ Micro is ideal for lean startups
✅ Standard is designed for larger commercial growers
Step 3: Form a Legal Business Entity
Applicants must be organized under 13 V.I.C. or 26 V.I.C. and meet all eligibility requirements, including:
- Must be 21+ years old
- No disqualifying felony convictions
- No recent government employment conflicts (e.g., OCR, DLCA, elected office)
- Cannot hold both a micro and standard grow license
Step 4: Secure a Facility Location
You’ll need to identify a property that meets zoning and distance requirements:
- Must be at least 250 ft. from schools, houses of worship, and cruise docks
- Historic districts may impose extra restrictions
- Location must support your plant count and security protocols
📢 Tip: A strong location = higher score on your merit-based cannabis cultivation license application in USVI.
Step 5: Build a Qualified Cultivation Team
OCR scoring favors applicants who demonstrate experience and capacity. Your team should include:
- Cultivation experts (horticulture, compliance, pest mgmt.)
- Security and operations personnel
- A compliance officer or consultant
📞 Need help building your team? Schedule a call
Step 6: Develop Your Cannabis Cultivation Business Plan
Your plan should clearly address:
- Facility buildout & SOPs
- Production timeline and strain selection
- Environmental controls and sustainability practices
- Security and diversion prevention
- Supply planning and market readiness
- Contributions to social equity and local economic development
Step 7: Prepare Required Documents & SOPs
OCR will require detailed documentation for your USVI cannabis cultivation license application, including:
- ✅ Business Plan
- ✅ Start-Up Timetable
- ✅ Cultivation Plan (including methods, strain selection, and environmental controls)
- ✅ Evidence of a Suitable Facility (e.g., site plans, lease or ownership docs)
- ✅ Employee Training Plan
- ✅ Security & Recordkeeping Plan
- ✅ Cannabis Product Safety and Labeling Plan
- ✅ Emergency Plan
- ✅ Proof of Financial Readiness
- ✅ Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for each stage of cultivation
📢 Let Quantum 9 handle the heavy lifting—we write high-scoring applications from start to finish.
Step 8: Submit Your Application to OCR
Applications must be submitted via the official OCR portal beginning March 31, 2025.
Incomplete or non-compliant submissions will be disqualified.
💸 USVI Cultivation License Fees
| License Type | Application Fee | Annual License Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Cultivation License | $5,000 | $20,000 |
| Micro-Cultivation Permit | $1,000 | $5,000 |
Additional fees apply for license modifications, renewals, and changes of ownership.
🎯 USVI Cannabis Cultivation License Scoring Rubric
Cannabis cultivation license applications in the U.S. Virgin Islands are evaluated using a 1,000-point merit-based scoring system. Understanding this rubric is key to winning a license.
Here’s how USVI cannabis licenses are scored:
| Category | Points Available | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Business Plan | 150 | Leadership experience, background of owners/investors, financial viability, organizational structure |
| Cultivation Plan | 150 | Growing methodology, strain selection, environmental controls, pest/disease prevention, sustainability |
| Security & Recordkeeping Plan | 150 | Physical security measures, surveillance systems, personnel access control, data retention, seed-to-sale tracking |
| Operations & SOPs | 150 | Step-by-step procedures for each phase of cultivation, timeline to begin production within six months, staffing protocols |
| Community & Economic Impact | 150 | Job creation, local hiring, workforce development, social equity commitments, reinvestment into the USVI community |
| Facility Suitability | 150 | Compliance with zoning, accessibility, water and electrical infrastructure, sanitation, and facility layout |
| Environmental & Safety Plans | 100 | Emergency preparedness, energy and water efficiency, hazardous waste handling, sustainability best practices |
| Total Possible Score | 1,000 | Only the highest scoring applicants will be awarded licenses under the OCR’s merit-based review system |
⚠️ Ownership Limitations & Transfer Rules
- You cannot own both a micro-cultivation permit and a standard cultivation license
- Micro permits cannot be transferred
- Standard licenses may be transferred only with OCR approval and after all taxes are paid
✅ Why Work With Quantum 9?
With a 92% win rate, Quantum 9 is a globally recognized leader in cannabis license application writing, having helped clients win licenses in 33 states and 6 countries.
We provide:
- Application writing & technical SOPs
- Cannabis Cultivation Consulting Services
- USVI Cannabis Facility designs & planning
- Cannabis Business Planning & Financial modeling
- Talent recruitment & local support strategies
- Ongoing operational consulting
📞 Ready to grow in the USVI? Schedule a free call with our USVI cannabis consultants.
