U.S. Virgin Islands Opens Cannabis Manufacturing Licenses

The USVI Cannabis License Application Window Is Here

Submissions Taken Through December 19, 2025

The U.S. Virgin Islands is taking another major step forward in building its regulated cannabis market. The USVI Office of Cannabis Regulations (OCR) has officially opened the application round for Cannabis Manufacturing Licenses, now accepting submissions through December 19, 2025, at 5 PM EST. 

On the heels of the recent dispensary and cultivation license application rounds, we expect this round to be no different and require just as much, if not, more detail to remain competitive as a prospective cannabis business owner. For entrepreneurs and operators ready to expand into an emerging Caribbean cannabis market, this is a valuable opportunity to establish a foothold in the territory’s cannabis supply chain. 

 

A Merit-Based (Points) License Application Process

Cannabis manufacturing licenses in the Virgin Islands will be awarded through a merit-based scoring system totaling 1,000 possible points. License applicants will be scored on the depth, feasibility, and quality of their submissions across these categories.

Business Plan requirements

Applicants must submit comprehensive plans that demonstrate business readiness, operational expertise, and compliance across several key areas, including: 

• Business Plan: Ownership experience, financial feasibility, startup timeline, and cannabis production plans. 
• Operations Plan: Supply continuity, product manufacturing methods, quality assurance, and environmental sustainability. 
• Proposed Facility Suitability: Proof of a safe, efficient, and secure site for cannabis product manufacturing. 
• Employee Staffing & Training: Staffing, safety, and workplace policies. 
• Security & Recordkeeping: Theft prevention, inventory tracking, transport, and disposal protocols. 
• Product Safety & Labeling: Cannabis testing procedures, contamination prevention, and recall readiness. 
• Emergency Planning: Disaster response and business continuity measures. 
• Social Equity: Qualification under the territory’s social equity provisions. 

 

 

How Prepare an Application and Win A Cannabis Manufacturing License

Because this round of licensing is competitive and comprehensive, preparation is key. The U.S. Virgin Islands has been a well-known tourist hotspot prior to cannabis and we expect tourism to grow exponentially as a result of it. Don’t wait until December to apply for a license. With detailed scoring criteria and complex documentation requirements, early preparation gives applicants a crucial edge. 

Here are the five primary steps we recommend taking to prepare for and win a cannabis manufacturing license in the U.S. Virgin Islands:

1) Show Your Cannabis Experience

Strong applications will demonstrate management experience in cannabis or related industries and include clear facility designs and operational workflows.

2) Prove Your Business Financials & Environmentalism

In order to score maximum points in this license application round, your team will need to outline detailed financial pro forma and environmental plans.

3) Embrace the USVI Community

The U.S. Virgin Islands is a tight-knit community. Addressing workforce development and community benefit across the region will add significant value in the eyes of application graders.  

4) Demonstrate Your Legal Knowledge

Overall, applications should demonstrate an applicant’s understanding of the US Virgin Islands cannabis laws and how they plan to follow them as operators.  

5) Partner With Canna Advisors 

The USVI cannabis consultants at Canna Advisors are prepared to ensure your manufacturing license application tics all the boxes to score the maximum number of points to be competitive against other applicants.

Canna Advisors has guided hundreds of clients through merit-based licensing in emerging markets and just finished helping multiple clients through to submission in the USVI dispensary and cultivation application rounds. We can help you navigate the Virgin Islands’ unique process from strategy through submission.

Contact our experts today or book an hourly consultation to start planning your application strategy.