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Cannabis in St. Vincent & the Grenadines: Laws & Industry Guide flag Cannabis in St. Vincent & the Grenadines: Laws & Industry Guide

Is weed legal in St. Vincent? Medical cannabis industry details, cultivation licenses, amnesty program, and what tourists need to know.

Last verified: April 13, 2026 · Medicinal Cannabis Industry Act, 2018

Legal Status Medical Only
Possession Limit Medical/licensed only; unlicensed personal possession remains illegal
Medical Program Yes — Medicinal Cannabis Authority (MCA) issues cultivation, manufacturing, dispensing, import/export licenses
Tourist Access Very limited; industry is cultivation/export focused, not tourist access
Penalties Unlicensed possession, cultivation, and sale are criminal offences

Current Cannabis Laws

St. Vincent and the Grenadines took a unique approach to cannabis reform: rather than decriminalizing personal use, the government built a commercial medical cannabis industry from the ground up. Parliament passed two bills in December 2018: the Medicinal Cannabis Industry Act and the Cannabis Cultivation (Amnesty) Act.

The Medicinal Cannabis Authority (MCA) now oversees a licensing system covering cultivation (five tiers), research, manufacturing, dispensing, import, export, and transport. License fees range from EC$100,000 for a small Class A cultivation permit to EC$2.67 million (roughly US$1 million) for a large Class E operation.

Personal recreational use remains illegal under the Drug (Prevention of Misuse) Act.

Medical Marijuana

This is where St. Vincent’s story is distinct. The medical cannabis program is export-oriented — designed to position SVG as a cultivation and manufacturing hub for international medical markets. Licenses have been issued to both local farmers and international companies.

The Cannabis Cultivation (Amnesty) Act created a pathway for traditional cultivators — Vincentian citizens with existing grows — to become licensed through a “traditional cultivator’s licence.” This was a significant acknowledgment of the island’s long history of cannabis cultivation.

For Tourists

St. Vincent is not a cannabis tourism destination — at least not yet. The industry is focused on commercial cultivation and export, not retail or patient access. There are no dispensaries, herb houses, or tourist-facing cannabis businesses.

Unlicensed possession remains a criminal offence. If you’re visiting Bequia, Mustique, or the mainland, don’t assume the medical industry means personal use is tolerated. It doesn’t.

The Grenadines are gorgeous, and the sailing is world-class. Come for the water, not the weed.

Recent News & Changes

  • December 2018: Medicinal Cannabis Industry Act and Cannabis Cultivation (Amnesty) Act passed
  • 2019-2020: First cultivation licenses awarded to local and international applicants
  • Ongoing: MCA continuing to process license applications; traditional cultivator integration
  • Pending: Expansion of domestic medical access under discussion