‘Legalization, not procrastination’

Given the election is not promising much of anything in the way of change—and with Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s right around the corner—I wonder what citizens will be celebrating over the holidays beyond religious and family connections and thankfulness. But will we be thankful or celebrating anything the 19th Legislature has done? This is not to pass judgement on the 19th Legislature as to “what they have done or what they have failed to do” but in fact to humbly and respectfully ask for their consideration to leave the people a gift before concluding the business of the 19th Legislature. Just think, wouldn’t it be just great if the 19th Legislature would give the people a genuine gift before they retire in December?

Too often our Legislature is putting a charge on us citizens and even constantly raising these charges in taxes, fees and everything else to generate more revenues. Wouldn’t it be just great if the 19th Legislature would reverse this trend from charging citizens more to doing something that will create new revenues and good jobs for citizens? Wouldn’t it be great to see new funding for things like local subsidies for living, new high paying jobs with career potential for U.S. citizens only, more funding for education, more funding for the Judiciary, more funding for CHCC, more funding for CUC and even help the government with paying all the outstanding debts. Wouldn’t it be just great to see real prosperity for an overwhelming majority of the local people and businesses in the CNMI? Well, legalization can do all these things and more and it would truly be the best gift to the people of the CNMI since the very creation of the Commonwealth’s tourist industry.

It is very clear we have missed one window of opportunity for legalization to be on the ballot but it is not too late for the 19th Legislature to pass a law. Legalization is serious and not just about people getting high as people are living and dying in pain everyday. If we are to avoid two more years of social, economic and criminal justice uncertainty when it comes to legalization and even a level of deterioration in our chances to capture the cannabis tourism market for our region then we should legalize it now! Common sense and logic actually dictates that waiting for another two years will serve no purpose, especially when other states have already opened the door and proved that legalization works and that it is safe for other states to enter and join in the benefits of this social and economic evolution!

In fact, the only reason legalization has been so slow to implement has been the lack of political willpower and the reasons we are waiting now is because of election politics. However, should the 19th Legislature choose to legalize marijuana after Nov. 8 there are virtually no political risk, especially for those who may be misfortunate and lose. People can still be given the opportunity to vote on continuing or terminating legalization “after” seeing how good or bad legalization is in reality as opposed to voting based on their personal guess as to how legalization might be in the CNMI. Legalizing marijuana first before a vote is actually better as people can make a much more informed decision because in reality we are all guessing at this point. I just happen to be one of the many who are making a well informed and educated guesses based on the history and the current facts about legalization as they continue to evolve.

The 19th Legislature and governor can give the entire CNMI a gift that may be one of the best gifts ever given by a government to its people beyond protecting and serving—prosperity! The legalization of an “herb” that was given to us in nature to use will truly be a gift that we the people can truly be thankful for, a gift that will surely improve the quality of life in the CNMI and especially a gift that the sick and dying have needed ever since the creation of mankind.

Ambrose M Bennett
Kagman,Saipan