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BOE fears marijuana would jeopardize federal funding
The CNMI Board of Education fears that legalizing the medicinal and recreational use of cannabis on the islands could lead to a loss in its annual federal funding since marijuana remains illegal in the federal government’s eyes.
In a letter dated Aug. 15, 2018, addressed to Senate President Arnold I. Palacios (R-Saipan), BOE chair Marylou Ada stated the board’s opposition to legalizing cannabis in the CNMI due to federal regulations governing schools.
She noted that, according to the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act, state educational agencies such as the Public School System, must maintain “drug-free schools” as a condition for federal funding.
“This bill, in its current form, prohibits the possession or use of marijuana on school campuses, unless the person has a ‘valid recommendation for marijuana issued by a physician in the Commonwealth to engage in the use of marijuana,’” Ada noted, citing the legislation.
“This is unacceptable. Allowing marijuana on campus would put our federal grants in jeopardy. As federal grantees of the Department of Education, among other agencies, PSS must pledge that it will maintain a drug-free workplace and campus. If marijuana is allowed on campus, with or without a prescription, we will be in violation of our grants,” said Ada.
Federal funding provides about half of the total PSS budget.
The Senate passed House Bill 20-178, HD4 yesterday afternoon with a vote of sixfor and two abstentions and one absence.
Federal agencies such as the Drug Enforcement Agency still considers cannabis as a Schedule I drug, along with heroine, lysergic acid diethylamide or LSD, ecstasy, and even psilocybin mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms.
“It is of the utmost importance that PSS not lose its federal funding. That funding pays for infrastructure, books, and Title I teachers. This bill places that funding in jeopardy. Consequently, the BOE maintains its objection to the legalization of marijuana both medicinally and recreationally,” Ada wrote.
