The Criminal Division of the Office of the Attorney General says it will not be pressing charges against individuals legally licensed to cultivate and sell cannabis unless it\u2019s become a danger to the community. <\/p>\n
According to Chief Prosecutor Chester Hinds of the OAG Criminal Division, charges will only be pressed if there is reason to believe that marijuana is being trafficked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s important that people understand that we\u2019re not going to prosecute unless there\u2019s a situation where we\u2019re seeing the danger of trafficking, or [if individuals] are delivering it to children,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
A scenario Hinds gave as an example to warrant prosecution is if an individual licensed to grow marijuana is caught growing an excessive amount. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe would prosecute if there\u2019s an excessive amount being grown. For instance, that person could fall in a category where we can say that maybe they\u2019re trafficking, or unlawfully delivering. If a person is just selling a plant on Saipan Buy and Sell, we\u2019re not going to arrest them or prosecute them. But if they\u2019re over the line, especially if they\u2019re growing at home, and they\u2019re growing more than they should, we\u2019re going to try and get them in compliance,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
In addition, importation of marijuana would also be grounds for prosecution, he said. <\/p>\n
So far, no huge charges related to marijuana have been filed but warning have been given out. Hinds added that he just wants people to understand that his office wants to help the marijuana industry flourish the right way and, as much as possible, get everyone in compliance before pressing any charges. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve been giving warnings, especially for people who are growing at their home. We haven\u2019t been doing a lot of prosecuting and we probably won\u2019t do a lot of prosecuting when it comes to people at their home as long as they\u2019re in compliance. But if they choose not to be compliant, and they choose to grow excessive amounts, then there\u2019s a chance that we do prosecute,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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