This is why the House Committee on Natural Resources recommended the filing — or shelving — of House Bill 17-47, according to its chairwoman, Rep. Teresita A. Santos, Ind.-Rota.
Introduced by Rep. Stanley T. McGinnis Torres, Ind.-Saipan, H.B. 17-47 was discussed during a series of public hearings conducted by the committee.
In an interview on Tuesday, Santos said the public hearings on Saipan indicated that 50 percent of those who attended were in favor of legalizing the use of marijuana, while the other 50 percent were against it.
The public hearing on Tinian showed an overwhelming support for the controversial bill but on Rota, it was the other way around, Santos said.
She said she agreed with Torres who suggested allowing the voters themselves to have a say on the issue.
Torres said he will introduce an initiative petition.
“I’m fine with an initiative — let the people decide,” he added.
According to the CNMI Constitution, an initiative petition “shall be signed by at least 20 percent of the persons qualified to vote in the commonwealth” before it can be placed on the ballot.
It “shall become law if approved by two-thirds of the votes cast by persons qualified to vote in the commonwealth.”
