By Emmanuel T. Erediano
[email protected]
Variety News Staff
THE dissolution of the CNMI Cannabis Commission has eliminated the $325,000 total cost for commissioners’ stipends and the managing director’s salary, according to the Department of Commerce, which is now requesting $221,000 from the Legislature for its new cannabis regulatory program.
Through Executive Order 2025‑005, Gov. David M. Apatang disbanded the commission and transferred its regulatory authority to Commerce’s Alcoholic Beverage and Tobacco Control Division.
During the Senate session on Tinian on Friday, ABTC Director David Maratita submitted Commerce’s proposed budget for the cannabis regulatory program for fiscal year 2026, which “reflects the structural changes” mandated by the executive order.
Maratita told senators that during the 60-day transition period, the ABTC Division absorbed the three existing positions from the former Cannabis Commission: Inspector 1, executive secretary, and Cannabis compliance outreach coordinator. He said these are the only positions for which Commerce is requesting funding from the Legislature.
Importantly, the transfer of the former commission’s regulatory responsibility to Commerce resulted in substantial annual savings for the CNMI government. The $50,000 annual salary of the managing director and the $275,000 total stipends for the commissioners have been eliminated, resulting in $325,000 in annual personnel savings, Maratita said.
Now, the total personnel cost for the cannabis regulatory program under ABTC is down to $87,150, the director said.
To further maximize efficiency, Maratita said, the ABTC Division would expand its capacity through cross-training rather than hiring. “Our existing law enforcement officers would support the Inspect 1 position, and our outreach program unit would support the Cannabis compliance outreach functions. This expands operational capacity without new hires,” he said.
In addition to personnel costs, Commerce is requesting $133,950 for operations, including training, technology, vehicles, communications, utilities, and other essential regulatory functions. This brings Commerce’s total FY2026 budget request to $221,100.
Emmanuel “Arnold” Erediano has a bachelor of science degree in Journalism. He started his career as police beat reporter. Loves to cook. Eats death threats for breakfast.
