THERE are rules to follow when possessing marijuana lawfully, and these are still being discussed and interpreted, Chief Prosecutor John Bradley said.
The CNMI Cannabis Act allows for medical and recreational use in the Commonwealth.
According to the CNMI Cannabis Commission, individuals within the Commonwealth who are 21 years old and older are mandated by law to register under the Homegrown Marijuana Registry and obtain a registry card to legally produce, process, keep, or store homegrown marijuana at a household or cultivation site for non-commercial purposes.
Asked whether a full-grown marijuana plant can be considered property and or be reported stolen, Bradley said under 6 CMC section 103(h), “property means anything of value, including money, negotiable instruments, real estate, tangible and intangible personal property, contract rights, chose in action [‘a personal property right to an intangible object’] and other interests in or claims to wealth, admission or transportation tickets, captured or domestic animals, food and drink, and electric or other power.”
Bradley said to the extent a person lawfully possesses marijuana, whether in plant or finished form, it qualifies as something that can be reported as stolen.
As for unlawful possession of marijuana, he said it means the property is contraband, and subject to seizure and prosecution.
The Attorney General’s Office does not discourage anyone from reporting property crimes, Bradley said.
“All crimes, even those committed against someone illegally possessing a drug, should be reported and investigated,” he added.
