§ 305. Funding
The ABIC may accept grants of local or federal funds, gifts, devices or conveyances for assistance to agri-businesses and the furtherance of the stated goals and purposes of this chapter.
§ 306. Budget proposal
The Commissioner shall include in the Department’s fiscal year budget proposal non-lapsing funding for the ABIC sufficient to carry out purposes of this chapter.
§ 307. Regulations
The Commissioner shall promulgate regulations for the operation of the ABIC program, including eligibility requirements for participation in the Program and procedures for applying for the Program.
§ 308. Coordination and consultation
The Commissioner shall coordinate the Program and consult with the Small Business Incubator Program established under 11 V.I.C. ch. 23 for guidance in the development and implementation of the Program and to avoid duplication of services.
§ 309. Cooperation
(a) All departments, agencies, authorities and other instrumentalities of the Government shall cooperate with the Commissioner and the ABIC in carrying out their duties and responsibilities under this chapter; carrying out their programs and exercising their functions and promoting agri-businesses in such manner as will, to the maximum extent permitted by other applicable law, assist […]
§ 204. Disposition of fees
All fees assessed under this subchapter must be deposited into the Agriculture Revolving Fund established in 33 V.I.C. § 3018 for use by the Commissioner to administer and enforce the provisions of this subchapter.
§ 205. Defense for possession of hemp
(a) It is a defense to criminal charges to the possession or cultivation of hemp if: (1) The defendant was growing industrial hemp pursuant to the provisions of this subchapter; (2) The defendant has a valid, applicable, controlled substances registration from the United States Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration; and (3) The defendant has […]
§ 206. Promotion of hemp research and development
(a) The Department of Agriculture in conjunction with the University of the Virgin Islands shall promote the research and development of markets for the Virgin Islands industrial hemp and products after the selection and establishment of the industrial hemp research program and the Industrial Hemp Commission, subject to the availability of adequate funds for these […]
§ 207. The Virgin Islands Industrial Hemp Commission
(a) The Virgin Islands Industrial Hemp Commission is established within the Department of Agriculture and consists of at least nine members as follows: (1) The President of the University of the Virgin Islands or the President’s designee; (2) The chair of the Legislature’s Committee on Economic Development, Agriculture & Planning or its successor: (3) The […]
§ 208. Adoption of federal regulations
The Department shall adopt the federal regulations regarding industrial hemp and any subsequent changes thereto.