Cannabis in St. Vincent and the Grenadines
St. Vincent built a commercial medical cannabis industry instead of decriminalizing personal use. Here is what that means for visitors, why there are no dispensaries, and what is and isn't allowed in the Grenadines in 2026.
Last verified: May 17, 2026 · Medicinal Cannabis Industry Act, 2018
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 and 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.
What St. Vincent’s medical cannabis industry means for visitors
The 2018 reform was a commercial industry decision, not a tourist access decision. The Medicinal Cannabis Authority licenses cultivation, manufacturing, dispensing, and import or export. Almost all of it is oriented toward producing pharmaceutical-grade cannabis for international export markets, not retail in Kingstown or the Grenadines.
For a visitor, that means:
- No tourist-facing retail. No herb houses, no dispensaries selling to walk-in customers.
- No personal possession exemption. Unlicensed possession is still a criminal offence under the Drug (Prevention of Misuse) Act.
- No visitor medical pathway. A medical card from another country has no legal effect.
- The Grenadines (Bequia, Mustique, Union Island) follow the same law as the mainland. The yacht-charter scene is gorgeous but cannabis there carries the same risk.
The industry side is where the country’s reform energy went. The amnesty program brought traditional Vincentian cultivators into the licensed framework, which is meaningful for the local economy but not relevant for visitors.
St. Vincent is one of the best sailing destinations in the Caribbean. Come for the water and the islands. The cannabis story here isn’t really for you.
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
Frequently asked questions
Is weed legal in St. Vincent and the Grenadines?
Medical cannabis cultivation and industry are legal under the 2018 Medicinal Cannabis Industry Act. Recreational use and unlicensed personal possession remain illegal. The program is built around licensed commercial cultivation rather than tourist-facing retail.
Is marijuana legal in St. Vincent?
Marijuana is legal only for licensed medical purposes. The Medicinal Cannabis Authority issues five tiers of cultivation licenses plus manufacturing, dispensing, and import or export licenses. Unlicensed personal use remains a criminal offence.
Is medical cannabis legal in St. Vincent?
Yes. The 2018 Medicinal Cannabis Industry Act created a full medical framework with five tiers of cultivation, manufacturing licensing, prescribing, and dispensing. The program is run by the Medicinal Cannabis Authority and is oriented toward commercial cultivation and export markets.
Can tourists buy weed in St. Vincent?
Practically no. The program is focused on commercial cultivation for medical export markets, not tourist-facing retail. There are no dispensaries or herb houses for visitors. Unlicensed possession is a criminal offence.
What is the SVG amnesty program?
When the 2018 cannabis legislation passed, it included an amnesty program for traditional growers to register and transition into the licensed medical industry. The program was time-limited and aimed at bringing existing cultivators into the regulated framework.
Are there cannabis dispensaries in St. Vincent?
Not in the retail sense most tourists imagine. Licensed dispensing exists under the Medicinal Cannabis Authority framework, but the program is oriented toward commercial cultivation and pharmaceutical-style export rather than walk-in tourist purchases.