Sen. Sixto K. Igisomar (R-Saipan), who was one of the main authors of the cannabis or marijuana law, believes the commercial aspect of the new industry \u201cwill happen no matter what,\u201d so he encourages the CNMI Cannabis Commission to give more focus on the law\u2019s medicinal aspect to help people who are suffering debilitating illnesses or have cancer. <\/p>\n
Igisomar pointed out that this was, in fact, the original impetus behind the \u201cTaulamwaar Sensible CNMI Cannabis Act of 2018,\u201d which later became Public Law 20-66. That law authorized personal, medicinal, and commercial use of cannabis or marijuana in the CNMI.<\/p>\n
Igisomar said last week that the history of the bill\u2019s purpose shows that it was originally strictly for medicinal use only in the beginning, then became inclusive of personal use, and then the commercial aspect. At that time, he said, the commercial aspect was never really the impetus of the bill because of opposition that could have snagged the bill\u2019s passage.<\/p>\n
Igisomar raised this issue with the implementation of the cannabis law after the Cannabis Commission held Tuesday a presentation about the commission and the marijuana industry before the Senate Committee on Cannabis and Gaming.<\/p>\n
The senator said the concern of many people based on the original bill that he authored was to help people who are suffering debilitating illnesses. \u201cIt was never really commercial,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
He advised the commission not to focus so much on the commercial side as \u201cit will happen no matter what.\u201d <\/p>\n
By focusing hard on the commercial aspect, the commission will potentially be affecting the people who truly need this bill and that is for medicinal purpose, he added. \u201cAnd to clarify, the medicinal purpose is not so that you can authorize a laboratory inspection on a product just so that it can be sold in pharmaceuticals stores. That is not the purpose,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Igisomar said that, based on the introduction of this bill, it\u2019s really for the medicinal purpose and traditional use of marijuana. \u201cAnd so I\u2019m hoping that the commission may be able to explore the licensing and or authorization [for that purpose],\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
The senator said he is aware of the challenges the commission faces and he hopes they will be able to overcome them so they can allow people to access the medicinal aspect of this marijuana law \u201cwhereby they can plant whatever they need, to plant in order to help themselves. I\u2019m really hoping that you are able to overcome the obstacles and put this medicinal aspect into place.\u201d<\/p>\n
Igisomar said the reason why the personal use was allowed or inserted into this bill was for its medicinal purpose, but that the only way they can allow medicinal use of marijuana is through easy access, which is to allow personal use access and from there, people will be able to use marijuana for their own use.<\/p>\n
Igisomar also requested the commission, if possible, to remove the language or use of the word recreational in their presentation. He pointed out that nowhere in the Taulamwaar Sensible CNMI Cannabis Act is the word \u201crecreational\u201d used. \u201cAnd there\u2019s a very good reason why,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Igisomar said that in working on the non-medicinal side since 2014, they\u2019ve always talked about the concept of personal use and, at that time, recreational use was being attacked in the U.S. mainland as a negative. He said they did not want to put any form of negativity into the bill or the act. <\/p>\n
\u201cSo I\u2019m recommending, if it\u2019s not too much, to revisit your regulations,\u201d the senator said.<\/p>\n
Igisomar said he is hoping that the commission stick to the personal use of marijuana. \u201cThat\u2019s very important,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
With respect to the data collection or registry, Igisomar said it is for the CNMI government to have information on the use of marijuana in the CNMI. He said it\u2019s strictly data and that he is happy that the Cannabis Commission is able to make sure that no one else will able to access it. Igisomar said it\u2019s intended to prevent putting people at risk. <\/p>\n
\u201cAnd I\u2019m bluntly saying it it\u2019s to prevent the federal government from raiding our people,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
The senator said if the federal government wants to do any raids, then they should use their own data and their own investigation at their own cost, but not at the CNMI\u2019s expense. <\/p>\n
In September 2018, Gov. Ralph DLG Torres signed the marijuana bill into law, making the CNMI the first U.S. territory to legalize both the medical and recreational use of marijuana. <\/p>\n
It also made the CNMI the first U.S. jurisdiction to do so through its Legislature, rather than via ballot initiative. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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