The CNMI Cannabis Commission is right now reviewing a total of 12 applications for commercial licenses and nine licenses for homegrown marijuana have already been approved and the commission expects to entertain more applications, according to managing director Monique Sablan.<\/p>\n
In her presentation during the Rotary Club of Saipan\u2019s meeting at Hyatt Regency Saipan\u2019s ballroom yesterday, Sablan highlighted the potential of the marijuana industry even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. In a later interview, Sablan said it\u2019s interesting to see that there are still a lot of people who are applying for licenses during this time with COVID-19.<\/p>\n
\u201cImagine that we\u2019re in the pandemic, and we have an economic issue going on, where both the public and private sectors have been suffering. But being able to see local entrepreneurs and off-island investors still want to invest in an industry here in the Commonwealth is really tremendous to see,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n
She expects to see the cannabis industry to take off in 2021 if there\u2019s already no COVID-19 at the time. \u201cSo let\u2019s say we didn\u2019t have COVID this year, like everything is normal and fine. I would project a higher number of revenue coming in,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n
Sablan said they\u2019re doing their part to ensure that they accommodate not only applicants, but also make sure that they\u2019re in compliance with the law and regulations. <\/p>\n
For the commercial cannabis licensing or businesses, the 12 applications are still being processed and reviewed, she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe anticipate more,\u201d Sablan said, adding that she has been meeting with other potential applicants to assist them with the application process.<\/p>\n
She said there is an application fee and a license fee, which amount varies depending on the class.<\/p>\n
Sablan said the application fee is non-refundable. <\/p>\n
\u201cBut you don\u2019t pay the licensing fee until you\u2019re approved for the license. So that is not until it\u2019s been completely reviewed by the commission,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
From the 12 applications, Sablan said they\u2019ve already collected over $10,000 in revenue since they had the official launching of applications for homegrown and commercial licenses last Aug. 4. She said they started receiving applications beginning September. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat I\u2019ve been doing is I assist anyone who\u2019s interested in meeting and wanting to learn more about how to apply. I sit with them and we go over the different processes,\u201d Sablan said.<\/p>\n
For homegrown license applications, nine have been approved so far, but there are more other applications that are coming in, she said.<\/p>\n
For the homegrown, Sablan said an annual fee is very cheap at $75. \u201cSo with $75, you are able to have six mature marijuana plants over time and 12 immature marijuana plants. So 18 total.\u201d <\/p>\n
There are different limits for commercial licenses.<\/p>\n
Sablan said they are also working with the Commonwealth Zoning Office and Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation to draft a bill that would help them resolve the complications or obstacles that they\u2019ve been facing. Sablan said the zoning authorization is only for Saipan applications. <\/p>\n
She said all Saipan applicants for cannabis commercial licensing need zoning authorization.<\/p>\n
The managing director said the zoning authorization has to be received by going through the conditional use permitting process, which requires a public hearing.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd I believe zoning only hosts a public hearing once or twice a month and only has limited available slots for the public hearing,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Sablan said there are interests from Tinian and Rota for commercial, but nothing that has resulted into an application yet. <\/p>\n
For homegrown, Sablan refused to discuss whether they have applications from Tinian and Rota. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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