Homegrown pot registry cards out

The CNMI Cannabis Commission has issued out the first batch of Homegrown Marijuana Registry cards to individuals whose applications have fulfilled the necessary requirements and are compliant with the Cannabis Act and commission rules and regulations.

“We recognize that for years the local legalization of cannabis has been a long-sought goal for individuals in the Commonwealth. With the signing of the Cannabis Act and the establishment of the commission, this goal became a reality,” said CNMI Cannabis Commission managing director Monique Sablan. “Seeing individuals take the initiative to embrace this newly instated privilege while also accepting its prohibitions will drive the overall success and safety of this industry.”

She said registrants and cardholders are legitimately and legally allowed to cultivate marijuana for non-commercial use as long as they are compliant with the laws and regulations. “It’s an accomplishment to see individuals actively applying for this opportunity lawfully,” added Sablan. “The commission looks forward to seeing more applications and is ready to answer any…questions in regards to applying for the registry.”  

Since the opening of the registry on Aug. 4, 2020, individuals within the Commonwealth who are 21 years of age and older are mandated by law to register under the Homegrown Marijuana Registry and obtain a registry card in order to legally produce, process, keep, or store homegrown marijuana at a household or cultivation site for non-commercial purposes. 

The commission encourages eligible applicants who are interested or have been engaging in the cultivation of marijuana for non-commercial purposes to register. The application fee is $75 per person and applicants must pay the fee prior to submitting the application. 

The Homegrown Marijuana Registry card shall be renewable annually. By law, all records of each homegrown marijuana registrant will be strictly confidential and the commission is taking the necessary steps to ensure confidentiality.  

The commission has partnered with law enforcement agencies—Department of Public Safety, Division of Customs, and Alcohol Beverage and Tobacco Control—to establish the Cannabis Task Force, which will aid in the enforcement of the Cannabis Act and regulations. Individuals found in violation of the Cannabis Act may be punishable by civil or criminal penalties such as fines, seizure of marijuana items, or imprisonment. 
 
Submitting your application

Applicants applying on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota can submit their completed Homegrown Marijuana Registry application with official payment certification and receipt of payment at the following locations from Tuesday through Thursday, 9am – 4pm:

Saipan Applicants:
Division of Permitting and Licensing
Commonwealth Casino Commission
Unit 13 and 14F Springs Plaza
Gualo Rai, Saipan

Tinian Applicants:
Customer Service Intake Window
Department of Commerce – Tinian
San Jose Village, Tinian
 
Rota Applicants:
Administrative Office
Department of Land and Natural Resources – Rota
Liyo, Songsong Village, Rota

Where to obtain a homegrown application?
All applications and other resources are available to be downloaded from https://governor.gov.mp/priorities/cannabis/
 
Application inquiry contact

All inquiries regarding the CNMI Cannabis Commission applications should be emailed to: Saipan: info@cnmicannabis.org; Tinian: cannabistinian@gmail.com; Rota: thomas.cnmicannabiscomm@gmail.com (PR)