He said the Senate, which has formed a Tax Policy Enforcement Review Committee, will instead propose other revenue-generating measures.
According to Manglona, there are still “99 things” the Legislature can come up with to help the CNMI economy bounce back without legalizing marijuana,
Rep. Teresita A. Santos, Ind.-Rota, said because the people of her island “overwhelmingly” opposed it, she voted against the marijuana bill.
Santos also noted the concerns of the Public School System, the Department of Public Health and the Department of Public Safety which may lose millions of dollars in annual federal grants if the bill becomes law.
“It is my strong belief that we cannot afford to jeopardize the lives of our children and future generations by passing this highly controversial bill let alone losing millions of federal funds for education, safety and welfare of our children and general public,” Santos said.
Concerns
Some local residents interviewed by the Variety opposed the passage of House Bill 17-47 which was introduced by Rep. Stanley T. Torres, Ind.-Saipan.
A Kagman resident, who asked not to be identified, said she will try to find ways to convince the Senate to “kill” the bill.
“If this goes too far, I don’t care if I have so many relatives who are involved in this. If this bill is passed through the Senate and touches our children and affects their education, I will do everything in my power to reverse the enactment of the marijuana law.”
Kagman resident Luis L. Pangelinan supports the bill — sort of.
“In my opinion, I’m fine with the bill. I support the bill because now people will not have to hide their plants from the local authorities. The only issue that I am concerned about are the children. If marijuana is made more accessible, it can land in the hands of any child.”
Another Kagman resident, Jonathan B. Pangelinan, agrees.
“Yes, we hope that children and anyone under 21 will stay away from [marijuana] once it’s legalized. But look at how things are nowadays. Even though marijuana is illegal people are still using it. Especially minors. It’s the same with cigarettes. I’ve seen children casually buy cigarettes from various retail stores. If the bill permits regular marijuana production and sale, these retail stores can get a hold of the marijuana and sell it to the minors as easily as they’ve been selling tobacco. The bill has to be really thought through. I just hope that if it is passed that it will be handled securely and efficiently.”
Another resident, who declined to be identified, said “the last thing we need are more problems with addicts and illegal use of narcotics…. We don’t need another epidemic on Saipan. . As it stands in the U.S., any fool that presents a piece of paper that says it certifies that John Doe is registered and prescribed marijuana for personal use can get away with it. It is out of control and can be found in schools, workplaces, gambling establishments, hotels, jails etc…. No one can say it will be controlled. No one can give that assurance and guarantee that it will work for the CNMI. It will only bring us down. Creating havoc and addicts is what this will definitely do. And that is a guarantee. Open the eyes of those legislators that voted for this bill. Nothing good can come out of this.
Instead of moving forward and trying to build what little is left of the dwindling economy, they prefer to smoke away what they cannot guarantee but can stuff in their pockets…. Marijuana is not good business for the government and not good for the economy and the people of the CNMI.”
