Legalizing marijuana use for medical purposes, Fitial said, is something new in the CNMI, “so let’s try it.”
Asked about legalizing marijuana use for those 21 and above, the governor said he never smoked so he cannot talk about it.
“I don’t have the experience. I am not qualified,” he said.
Sen. Ralph DLG. Torres, R-Saipan, in a separate interview said he will not support marijuana legalization even if it’s for medicinal use.
He said he understands that many patients in the CNMI, particularly those with terminal cancer, may need marijuana for treatment.
But Torres said the prescription should come from California and not from here.
Getting marijuana from the U.S. as prescribed by a physician is acceptable but growing marijuana on island is another story, he added.
Torres reiterated his concern about losing millions of dollars in federal funds if marijuana is legalized in the CNMI.
Growing marijuana on island can get out of hand, he added.
Senate President Paul A. Manglona, Ind.-Rota, said the Senate will “kill” the bill, H.B. 17-47, which the House of Representatives already passed.
Senate Floor Leader Pete P. Reyes, R-Saipan, said he will ask the author, Rep. Stanley T. Torres, to revise his bill and make it for medicinal purposes only.
Representative Torres said the legalization of marijuana will not cause an increase in the crime rate. Instead, he added, it will reduce crime.
Legalizing a “harmless herb,” he added, would put “billions of dollars” into the CNMI economy, compensating for the possible loss of federal grants.
