Hofschneider wants cannabis industry to also flourish on Tinian, Rota

Sen. Jude U. Hofschneider (R-Tinian) said cannabis is a CNMI industry so they want it to also flourish on Tinian and Rota.

Hofschneider stated during a Senate session on Tuesday that they want the cannabis industry to grow, but at the same time also allow the potential operators and producers on Rota and Tinian to be part of the CNMI Cannabis Commission.

He commended the commission for coming up with their Citizen-Centric Report for Fiscal Year 2023 and for reportedly actually generating at least $1.8 million of revenue for the CNMI in Fiscal Year 2022.

Asked for the veracity of $1.8 million in revenue, Finance Secretary Tracy B. Norita told Saipan Tribune Wednesday that she will need to verify this statement.

Hofschneider said it is their vision and hope that this industry is going to supplement the CNMI economy as well.

“And I think we have an opportunity is just that there are some elements that we need to, you know, we need guidance on as members of the legislature,” said the senator. He did not elaborate.

CNMI Cannabis Commission managing director Mikiotti Evangelista told the House of Representatives Cannabis Committee on Tuesday that the cannabis industry is growing.

Evangelista said at present, a total of 16 commercial cannabis licenses have already been issued in the CNMI: eight marijuana producers, six marijuana retailers, one marijuana processor, and one marijuana lounge licensee.

Evangelista said they also have nine pending applicants—three marijuana producers, two marijuana processors, and four marijuana retailers.

Sen. Jude U. Hofschneider