Gov. Bryan on Epstein Docs; Pot Sales Soon Come; Slow Down on the Roads

M.A. Dworkin

St. Thomas - At Monday’s Press briefing at Government House, St. Thomas, Governor Albert Bryan Jr. provided a wide-ranging update on various issues. He announced major progress in the Territory’s financial accountability, outlined the next steps in cannabis regulation, called for urgent action to improve the Territory’s roadway safety, and addressed recent public reporting relating to convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein. 

In addressing the recent public reporting related to the federal investigation involving Jeffrey Epstein, Governor Bryan echoed the statements made by many worldwide Government officials and international celebrities whose names were recently disclosed in the latest Epstein drop, in that he cautioned that the documents cited include raw investigative records and unverified information attributed to sources, not prosecutorial findings of established facts. He stressed that none of the claims are new and that repeating them does not make them true. The Governor stated unequivocally that the Epstein estate received zero concessions from his Administration, emphasizing that there was no special treatment, no favors, and no backroom deals, calling the matter a non-issue being portrayed as a crisis. 

Governor Bryan announced that the Government of the Virgin Islands has completed its audited financial statements and Single Audit for the fiscal year 2023, which were officially issued on January 26, 2026. He noted that the Administration is now moving forward with audits for Fiscal Years 2024 and 2025, with the goal of completing both by the end of the year. Once those audits are finalized, the Territory will be current for the first time since before the hurricanes of 2017. The Governor emphasized that this milestone strengthens the foundation for the work of the Bryan-Roach Administration, explaining that audits provide independent verification of how public dollars are managed, strengthen oversight and accountability, and build confidence with federal partners, vendors, and financial institutions. He added that clearing the long-standing audit backlog signals improved capacity, stronger financial controls, and a commitment to keeping the public informed with verified information.

As far as the long-delayed sale of legalized cannabis in the Territory, the Governor introduced Joanne Moorhead, Executive Director of the Office of Cannabis Regulation (OCR), who outlined key developments in the implementation of the Virgin Islands Cannabis Use Act. Ms. Moorhead announced that commercial cannabis cultivation is expected to begin between late February and early March 2026.  The OCR is issuing 14 conditional dispensary licenses across the Territory including eight on St. Croix, one on St. John, and five on St. Thomas.

“We will have regulated cannabis sales in the Territory by fall of 2026,” Ms. Moorhead declared. “The Office of Cannabis Regulation remains committed to ensuring cannabis activity in the Virgin Islands is lawful, safe, and responsibly regulated.”

She also reported that with the assistance of the Department of Property and Procurement, a certified cannabis testing laboratory has been selected for the Virgin islands market, and that Cana First Financial has committed as a fully accredited financial institution to provide banking services to cannabis businesses. In addition, Act 9072 has been signed into law, establishing clear rules governing the sale and enforcement of intoxicating cannabinoid products, and requiring permits from the Office of Cannabis regulation for any event involving cannabis consumption. 

“This moment is a critical transition from legislation to full implementation,” Governor Bryan commented.

On the subject of public safety, the Governor announced that the Department of Justice has drafted a comprehensive Public Safety Act to modernize laws governing the acquisition, possession, and carrying of firearms in the Virgin Islands. He explained that the measure is designed to safeguard the constitutional rights of responsible, law-abiding adults while minimizing administrative delays and enabling the VIPD to better protect residents from gun violence. The Administration expects to transmit the proposed firearms legislation to the Legislature within the next two days and expressed hope the Senators will sponsor the bill. 

Governor Bryan also spoke forcefully about the alarming number of recent traffic incidents across the Territory. He called the loss of life on the roads unacceptable and urged residents to change their behavior, citing speeding, distracted driving, and disregard for traffic signals as dangerous actions that are costing lives. The Governor appealed to the public to slow down, obey traffic laws, wear seatbelts, put phones away, and recognize that no errand or appointment is worth losing your life or endangering another person’s life.