Marijuana hearing continues; public voices same concerns
A public hearing on the proposed medical marijuana bill on Tuesday night at the House chamber on Capital Hill drew a smaller number of comments but many were essentially similar to the ones submitted Friday last week.
The hearing for Senate Bill 19-06, which seeks to legalize the medicinal use of marijuana in the Commonwealth, was the second to be held on Saipan, with two more public hearings to be held on Tinian on April 29 and April 30.
Sen. Sixto Igisomar (R-Saipan), who introduced S.B. 19-06, said there were about 20 participants in the hearing and about five or six comments.
The questions were also essentially the same.
The hearing was shorter than the previous public forum but it was a tad more interesting, largely because of a “lively” discussion between lawmakers and recreational marijuana use advocate Ambrose Bennett.
Sen. Arnold Palacios (R-Saipan) said he had to request the committee head to cut short Bennett’s comments because he was already ranting and has exceeded his time allocation.
Bennett has been very vocal about supporting marijuana legalization, not just for medicinal but recreational purposes.
Palacios said Bennett may have crossed a line by overextending his allotted time and the contents of his comments, most of which were directed to the legislators.
Igisomar described Bennett’s comments as “harsh.”
Prior to the Saipan hearings, the senator requested the public to focus their comments on the medicinal use of marijuana, because this is what S.B. 19-06 is about.
Friday hearing
The first hearing on the proposed bill was held Friday, with most of the attendees favoring the proposed legislation.
The public hearing, held at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe, drew a sizable crowd, and most of the testimonies favored the proposed marijuana legislation.
About 100 people showed up at the hearing, which took three hours to finish.
According to Sen. Teresita A. Santos (R-Rota), there were 27 testimonies in favor of the proposed legislation and three testimonies against it.
Santos, who chairs the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare, said the three dissenting votes called for more studies and clarifications of the proposed bill.
The favorable responses were varied, as some wanted to allow the medicinal use of marijuana, while some favored its recreational use.
As a Cannabis advocate – I mean Cannabis because I am in full support for the full potentials of the Cannabis plant: medically, recreationally and agri-industrially- for marijuana and hemp, I understand the norms of society and must be mindful when sensitive issues are addressed so as not to harm or disrespect others in general. Since 1995, I got into the Culture of Cannabis. In 1999, I was one of the proponents that spearheaded the Commonwealth Cannabis Tax Act, a ballot initiative that aimed for full legalization. It was really difficult garnering support for such a radical approach given the hidden support of the people and dealing with the opposition that were paranoid with the stereotypical stigma associated with marijuana at the time. Although we did not get the required signatures to qualify for a popular vote, it was an experience that has set the foundation for the future of cannabis and ultimately, an experience to share the knowledge of Cannabis. Throughout the years, I have been occasionally approached by the people requesting to go “one more round”. Now, 16 years later. Much has definitely changed in the Cannabis movement. We all know this for a fact as evidenced the world over.
For those who know me in this regard, know that there are safer and better approaches in progressing with the cannabis movement. There is a saying, “Chance only favors the prepared mind.” With chance, there is an opportunity to taking advantage of an objective. The objective is legalizing cannabis in one form or another if not all, which will be considered a victory in the movement. With this said, an opportunity has been officially proposed and placed forth with the senate medical marijuana bill, and it would be self-defeating as a cannabis proponent and those in support of Cannabis to not seize the opportunity in addressing and even supporting one of cannabis’ potentials: Medical use. This is an opportunity that was done through a legislative process and not on the side of the street with picket signs and petition forms, grassroots style of 1999. We can view this legislative approach as a new grassroots-style tactical shortcut in expediting a cause, no matter what we are fighting for as long as we unite together with our leaders as one for a favorable outcome that will benefit all. This my brothers and sisters is how we will win the war on cannabis. This is how we will all preserve our dignity and liberty with Cannabis.