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Commission, stakeholders discuss cannabis issues

THE CNMI Cannabis Commission and stakeholders on Wednesday discussed several issues related to the islands’ cannabis industry.

Prior to the panel discussion, the commission’s managing director, Monique Sablan presented the progress in the cannabis industry, an overview of the powers and duties of the commission, the rules and regulations as well as enforcement.

Participating in the meeting were representatives of the Department of Commerce-Alcoholic Beverage and Tobacco Control, the Legislature, the Department of Finance-Customs Division, Revenue and Taxation, CNMI Zoning, the Department of Public Lands, the Infrastructure and Recovery Program Office, the Office of Personnel Management, the Office of Planning and Development, the Commonwealth Casino Commission, the Department of Lands and Natural Resources-Agriculture Division, and the Commonwealth Economic Development Authority.

Fielding questions were commission chairwoman Nadine Deleon Guerrero, vice chairman Matthew Deleon Guerrero, and commission members Valentino Taisacan and Thomas Songsong.

They answered questions about various issues, such as pre-employment testing requirement, employment eligibility in the cannabis business, and how cannabis use can affect traffic violators particularly those apprehended for DUI, among many other things.

The stakeholders at the same time commended the commission for taking time to discuss the new industry with them.

Times have changed

Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, in his remarks, said his mother expressed doubt about cannabis use.

“Times have changed,” he told her, “cannabis actually helps those with certain illnesses,” including those with cancer “so that they don’t feel pain.”

“And that’s when my mom understood how marijuana can have these benefits,” the governor said. “You know, it makes a big difference because while marijuana can be for recreational use, it can also be for those in need of medical care.”

He said that’s one of the main reasons he signed Public Law 20-66 or the Sensible CNMI Cannabis Act of 2018.

He said some medical patients have thanked him for signing  P.L. 20-66, which has “helped their mom or grandma.”

Although it’s not a perfect measure, the governor said P.L. 20-66 “gave us a strong foundation to move forward.”

“One of the things that I would like is for the Legislature to also give the cannabis commission a revolving account,” he added. “Let them [the commission] run their own finances [so they can] be sustainable and functioning. Obviously, they need help. And so, in order for this industry to grow, we need to properly fund [the commission], and [help] them move forward and make it sustainable for the industry.”

He added, “I know…everyone wants to do the right thing, everybody has a different way of doing the right thing, and different interpretations of doing the right thing, but we have the regulations and we have the enforcement. I know the enforcement agencies are doing their work, and I want to give them a round of applause.”

He said cannabis is a new industry that the CNMI wants to be “successful for all.”

“For our people here,” he added, “for our tourism and, of course, for our economy, and that’s something that is also a part of the equation. But today, I just want to thank all of you, and the members of the Legislature that are here. Please look into what the cannabis commission needs, and let’s help them continue to grow the industry, and let them do what they need to do, and with the help of the Legislature…perhaps [the commission can be] allowed more autonomy [in] decision-making.”

The CNMI Cannabis Commission officials pose for a photo with stakeholders during a meeting in Saipan World Resort's Sunflower Room on Wednesday.

The CNMI Cannabis Commission officials pose for a photo with stakeholders during a meeting in Saipan World Resort’s Sunflower Room on Wednesday.

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