From left, CNMI Cannabis Commissioner Juan Iguel, Saipan Select co-owner Claudio Norita, Manager Susan Doyle, Cannabis Commissioner Journey Hofschneider, Saipan Select co-owner and cannabis expert Dan Miller and Cannabis Commission Chairman Joe Palacios pose for a photo during the issuance of a marijuana processor license on Thursday.
Samples of cannabis bubble hash, rosin and moon rock.
Saipan Select’s cannabis farm in Tanapag.
THE CNMI Cannabis Commission on Thursday last issued the first marijuana processor license to Saipan Select in Tanapag.
Cannabis Commission Chairman Joe Palacios and Commissioners Journey Hofschneider and Juan Iguel handed the license to Saipan Select owners, Claudio Norita and Dan Miller, and Manager Susan Doyle at the commission’s office on Capital Hill.
The processor license allows Saipan Select to legally process marijuana both for medical and recreational uses. Saipan Select opened in July 2021, after it was issued a production license and retail license.
In an interview on Friday, Norita said they are happy that the cannabis commission finally approved their application for a processor license. They are now the first cannabis producer in the CNMI to have a processor license.
Norita said Saipan Select is ready to use various methods of processing marijuana. One of them is the hydraulic press to extract marijuana concentrate or oil and bring the product to the next level, he added.
Miller presented samples of their processed products, which, he said, fall under the umbrella of cannabis concentrate.
One is the bubble hash for which ice or cold water is used in the extraction to make high concentrate cannabis. The other is the rosin, a cannabis concentrate that is solventless, which means that it is not made with solvents and chemicals.
Miller said in making rosin, they extract between 60% and 90% of the THC. They also have an irregular-shaped concentrate called “moon rocks.” It is compacted cannabis flower dipped into rosin, and is a very high-concentrated product, he added.
Norita said this week, they will make coconut oil infused with cannabis, which can be used topically for muscle pain and headache.
Miller said what they are doing is just among the many ways to break down cannabis.
For more information, call Saipan Select at (670) 488-2839.
