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Keeping Abreast On Legalization In America's Paradise


stxchick

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It's been a while since I've posted an update on the legalization efforts I am part of in the US Virgin Islands.

 

We are still getting signatures on the Citizens Initiative petitions to put legalization legislation on the November ballot. We've extended our deadline to May 8th as we are still needing additional registered voter signatures. In our efforts to get more signatures we will take a cue from Florida's UCF NORML chapter and will put a printable version of the petition on our website - basically an individual version of the multi-signature petitions we walk around now. We will have people mail them in to our official address or hand deliver/pickup them - what ever it takes.

 

We are holding a Ganja March on May 7th on all 3 islands (St. John, St. Thomas, and St. Croix) to join the world in the Global Marijuana March that day. This will be followed by a petition signing with educational movies (such as The Union) playing.

 

We are working on hosting an Expo in August that will offer business forming sessions (trying to get the SBA to hold these), hydroponic and soil growing sessions (done with non-cannabis examples), a solar distributor speaking on ways to use solar and alternative energy in agriculture and commercial businesses. As marijuana is not legal here yet and to bring in the most people we need to use other agriculture plants for examples. The business sessions will be directed on any business, but with an emphasis on cannabis related businesses.

 

We are hoping to get Melissa Balin to come and hold a Premier of "The Emperor Wears No Clothes" documentary that she co-directed/produced with Jack Herer. This will be an honor in light of our recent loss of Jack. He is revered world wide.

 

Monday I spoke with one of our Senators. He said he would seriously consider sponsoring legislation if we are unsuccessful in our Initiative (or even now). This was very encouraging - although we are concerned about the ending wording of the law should it be handed over to the Legislature.

 

The USVI Governor has just asked the legislators to approve of the borrowing of $250 Million to keep the Territory afloat thru the end of the next fiscal year. Last year we had to borrow the same amount. Many are opposed to this for obvious reasons. We feel this is the PERFECT time and the most PERFECT leverage point to bring out big guns and publicize hard our legislation and what it will do financially for the Territory. So we will be putting commercials on local VI television beginning May 3rd.

 

I will be attending the July 4th Marijuana Smoke In and the Hemp Will Save the Planet March in DC. We have been given a short speaking slot at this event to tell the world about our efforts in the USVI.

 

We have been asked to give a brief talk about our effort at the Treating Yourself Medical Marijuana Expo in Toronto July 16, 17, 18. One of the featured speakers there will be Dr. Juan Sanchez-Ramos who is a Neurologist at Tampa General Hospital. I happen to be entering the Neuroscience Unit at Tampa General Hospital next week for a multi-day study. What an opportune time to for me to sneak a visit with this authority in cannabinoid receptors in the brain! I would love for them to somehow (wink wink) split my testing session to show my brain wave activity without cannabinoid influence and then the last day or two with cannabinoid influence. Just wishful thinking! I'd love to be an inadvertent study subject.

 

So, I think I've covered everything. If I have forgotten anything or rambled, forgive me.

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hi stx have followed your organizing efforts for over a year now and i feel that i know you from your posts. being an old island boy myself (15yr in maui) i relate to what your attempting to put together. your dealing with another culture there, not just the none believers. new available sources of government funding in the form of increased tourism and taxes is the logical way to approach the legalization idea. i'm sure you're aware of the danger of ignoring the local feeling of 'this is our land keep out the touristas'. i only wish i could help out what i consider a more important project than legalization in calif. i hope someday to meet you in person and raise a cloud of celebration.

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Stx... thanks for the update and info.

 

Once the 'laws' get into place I'll be GLAD to come spend some tourist bucks in the beautiful V.Isle.

 

A change in the cannabis laws would definitely help with the budget problem there.

 

The people want it... the politicians just have to help it along... and when they do they'll be helping themselves too.

 

Good luck. All the best.

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