‘DOF ready if cannabis bill becomes law’

Finance Secretary Larrisa Larson assured that her department is ready to work with other agencies to help enforce regulations that would be in place once the cannabis bill becomes law.

House Bill 20-178, which aims to legalize and regulate cannabis use in the CNMI, passed the House last week and is awaiting action at the Senate. The bill is expected to unanimously pass and could be on Gov. Ralph DLG Torres’ desk before the year ends.

H.B. 20-178 was re-introduced by Rep. Joseph P. Deleon Guerrero (R-Saipan) after amending the previous bill penned by Sen. Sixto K. Igisomar (R-Saipan) since the latter’s bill had revenue-generating sections.

The bill had to be re-introduced since all revenue-generating bills must come from the House, including the government’s budget, and other monetary appropriations and earmarks.

“When it comes to enforcement, especially for these new industries, we always work together to find out how can we use our existing regulations to enforce these bills,” Larson told Saipan Tribune.

She added that the department would recommend regulations that they see fit to be implemented. “Something that we will consider to be implemented before we move forward with this bill.”

“One thing that is been really nice for the last couple of years is there’s been a lot of collaboration with different agencies. We’ve really had a good working relationship because we are committed in enforcing.”

Larson said that ensuring that taxes are collected is the result of the cooperation of all agencies involved, like the Division of Customs and the Department of Public Safety, among others.

She said the Legislature always solicits the comments of Finance for revenue-generating bills. “Whenever anything involves revenue generation bills, our office is asked for comments. And because of the changes, we’re trying to review the latest version of the bill so that we can make some comments on it.”

“Anything that brings revenue into the Commonwealth is something that we need to take seriously and take a look at. So, we will be reviewing and making our comments on that,” added Larson.

Thorough review

Torres said that he would review the bill thoroughly once it arrives on his desk before he signs it. “When it comes to [my desk] we will be reviewing what has passed.”

“I will be looking into the recommendations as what the community agreed on. I will look at the report and the testimonies. I’m actually going to review all the testimonies thoroughly. This is something that I’m not going to rush into,” added Torres.

He said he has also sought the input of various sectors in the community since several states in the U.S. mainland have already legalized marijuana use, either for medicinal or recreational purposes.

“I do know, if I’m not mistaken, that there are 29 states that have some sort of legalizing marijuana or cannabis, whether for medicinal or recreational [use]. That is something that I am looking into as well,” said Torres.

Colorado, Washington State, Alaska, Oregon, California, Massachusetts, Nevada, and Washington, D.C. had already passed laws that tax, legalize, and regulate marijuana use, either for medicinal or recreational purposes. Vermont recently legalized home cultivation and possession but is now thinking of also taxing and regulating it.

Torres said he respects the process of how the bill went through before reaching the Senate, where it awaits action. “I’ve asked several departments. Went out to the community and asked different people and organizations. I’m happy that they [Legislature] did a lot of public hearings on it.”

“[That’s] something that the Legislature looked at and thoroughly and asked the community for input. I’m sure that they’ve also done their own research. And an amendment was made, so now it is going back to the Senate.”

“I would like to say that I respect the process that they made. This is something that was given to the community and was supported widely. This is something that I should consider as well, because that’s the reason why we have public hearings, to give the community a chance to air their concerns or support the bill,” Torres added.