I AM writing to you publicly because “I don’t want to waste my gas and you do nothing and because the People deserve to KNOW, as it’s not about embarrassing you but a Public Call for some real Accountability with the Casino Commissions & the Cannabis Commission. You will also get official copies of this in your mailboxes as some leaders like to play ignorant claiming, they never read the paper when it’s their job to read the paper every day to keep their eyes, ears & hands on the plus on their CNMI.
I am humbly and respectfully asking for “Oversight Hearings to be conducted on the Casino & Cannabis Commissions, especially when the Government needs to downsize & cut cost. Given the challenge of reestablishing a Casino Commission for Saipan, it is far more prudent to “downsize” the fifteen (15) Casino Commissioners to five (5) elected Commissioners. If the state of Nevada can operate all their gaming operations with just five commissioners who even work “Parttime” why can’t the CNMI, as only the staff need to be full-time employees. There is also the fact the CNMI has constantly had problems with every commission even paying them when there was no casino. The Saipan Casino Commissioners didn’t even collect OUR money nor their own salaries, which was absolute NEGLIGENCE!
The Cannabis Commission is clearly dysfunctional never sponsoring a single event for the industry and has yet to write a single law for the Legislature or Municipal Councils to approve so the Justice System can prosecute violations. Presently, there are No Violations in the books for marijuana prosecution which is pathetic after nearly six (6) years. The CNMI has even operated the Cannabis Industry at a LOST ever-since spending more money on the commission than it brings in from licenses, fees & taxes. Finally, if you will check out the first draft of the Cannabis Legalization Bill that I wrote, you will find, “the Cannabis Commission & Director were TEMPORARY for Five (5) years to get the industry started up & running,” as this industry is supposed to operate on its own like the Hotel Industry. Commerce should be doing the licensing & fees, and policies to become law (State by the Legislature & Local Ordinances by Municipal Councils) with Enforcement under Alcohol & Tobacco and the Events & Promotions being approved by the mayors like other events on the individual islands.
I look forward to testifying at these Oversight Hearings on behalf of many concerned citizens because it’s obvious to the average citizen now that WE must fix (Reform) both of these Commissions.
Respectfully submitted for your serious consideration with Best Regards,
AMBROSE M. BENNETT, M.A.
Kagman, Saipan
