USVI Cannabis License Fees and Costs
What it costs to get a cannabis license in the US Virgin Islands. Application fees, annual renewals, patient cards, and the visitor fee at the register.
Updated April 12, 2026
In this guide5 sections
This is the fee schedule for cannabis businesses, patients, and consumers under the Virgin Islands Cannabis Use Act (Act 8680) and its amendments. All application fees listed are statutory ceilings set by § 803(b) - OCR may charge up to these amounts.
The old MCPCA fee structure (Act 8167) is no longer operative. If you’re reading older guides that reference $1,000–$5,000 license fees, those were the MCPCA maximums. Act 8680 replaced them.
Business license application fees
These are the maximum application fees OCR may charge. All are non-refundable on submission.
| License or permit | Maximum application fee |
|---|---|
| Cannabis Dispensary License | $50,000 |
| Cannabis Cultivation License | $20,000 |
| Cannabis Manufacturing License | $10,000 |
| Adult-Use Lounge Permit | $1,500 |
| Micro-Cultivation Permit | $1,000 |
Annual renewal fees are charged at rates equal to the application fee or as determined by the Cannabis Advisory Board, with annual increases capped at 10% of the prior year’s fee.
Cultivation license tiers
The Cannabis Advisory Board approved a tiered annual fee structure for Commercial Cannabis Cultivation Licenses in October 2024:
| Tier | Flowering plants | Vegetative plants | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | 51–350 | 201–1,000 | $2,500 |
| Tier 2 | 351–650 | 1,001–2,000 | $5,000 |
| Tier 3 | 651–1,000 | 2,001–3,000 | $7,500 |
Intoxicating Hemp Retailer License
Added by Act 9072 (January 2026). Application fee: $15,000. Per-island caps apply (up to 6 on St. Thomas, 6 on St. Croix, 2 on St. John). This license is separate from the Cannabis Dispensary License. See Is CBD still legal in the USVI? for details.
Patient and consumer fees
| Fee | Amount | Who pays |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Cannabis Patient Card | Up to $50/year | VI residents with qualifying conditions |
| Personal cultivation annual fee | Up to $100/year | Qualified Patients, Designated Caregivers, Sacramental Users growing at home |
| Non-resident Cannabis Fee | $20 per purchase | Any dispensary customer who is not a VI resident |
The non-resident Cannabis Fee is collected at point of sale and itemized on the receipt. Residency is verified by a VI-issued driver’s license, voter registration card, or senior-citizen ID. Residency is defined as 45 days or more of continuous presence.
Taxes
18% sales tax on all cannabis products at point of sale. This is the territorial excise rate applied to cannabis, distinct from the non-resident Cannabis Fee above. Both apply to non-resident purchases.
Where the money goes
All OCR fees and fines are deposited into the Cannabis Fund, a special account within the Virgin Islands Treasury. The Fund is appropriated for:
- OCR operations
- Cannabis testing facilities
- Restorative justice training and business incubation
- Research
- Substance-abuse treatment programs
- Industry workforce training
Related guides
- How to open a dispensary in the USVI - dispensary licensing walkthrough
- Starting a cannabis grow in the USVI - cultivation licensing and vertical integration
- USVI cannabis law: MCPCA to Act 8680 - the full statutory history
- What is the Office of Cannabis Regulation? - OCR explainer
What's moved on this since we last updated
- DEA opened federal registration for medical cannabis manufacturers, distributors, and testing labs on October 5. What it costs a USVI growerDEA opened Form 225 registration for medical cannabis manufacturers and labs on October 5. A manufacturer pays $3,699, more than a USVI Tier 1 license.
- The Fiscal Year 2027 budget is law. OCR's appropriation sits inside the general spending bill, and its four requested law changes have no billGovernor Bryan signed the USVI FY2027 budget on October 2. OCR's funding sits in the general bill, and its requested law changes have no bill.
- OCR asks for $1.61 million, reports $200,000 in program revenue, and carries a $248,667 software invoice from DecemberThe Office of Cannabis Regulation's Fiscal Year 2027 request runs about $100,000 above the Executive Budget's recommendation for the office. Its operational revenue has gone from $850 to nearly $200,000 in three years, against a $1.16 million appropriation.
Frequently asked
- How much does a dispensary license cost in the USVI?
- The maximum application fee for a Cannabis Dispensary License is $50,000 under Act 8680 § 803(b), non-refundable. Annual renewal is charged at the same rate or as determined by the Board, capped at a 10% increase per year.
- How much does a patient medical cannabis card cost?
- The resident medical cannabis card costs up to $50 per year. Non-resident patients can register their home-state card with OCR for recognition.
- What taxes apply to cannabis sales in the USVI?
- An 18% sales tax applies to all cannabis products at point of sale. Non-residents also pay a $20 Cannabis Fee per purchase.