‘Commission to addresses concerns about pot’

Matthew Deleon Guerrero and Nadine Deleon Guerrero, who are both nominees to the newly-constituted CNMI Cannabis Commission, are optimistic the panel would ably address the concerns of those who are opposed to the legalization of marijuana use and making sure the new industry would be heavily regulated.

Gov. Ralph DLG Torres has appointed the two to the commission, while Valentino Taisacan Jr. was nominated by Northern Islands Mayor Vicente C. Santos Jr. to be part of the group. Tinian Mayor Joey Patrick San Nicolas and Rota’s Efraim Atalig have yet to release the names of their nominees.

Marijuana use is still illegal in the CNMI despite Torres signing House Bill 20-178 into Public Law 20-66, which made the CNMI the first U.S. jurisdiction that legalized the commercial, medicinal, and recreational use of marijuana.

The commission needs to be officially formed and has to promulgate regulations within 180 days since the law was signed by Torres last Sept. 21. Appointments and the confirmation hearings were delayed after the CNMI was hit by consecutive destructive typhoons—Typhoon Mangkhut on Rota and Super Typhoon Yutu on Saipan and Tinian.

Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation chair John Paul Sablan (R-Saipan) has delayed the confirmation of the three.

SNILD Judicial and Governmental Operations Committee chair Ivan A. Blanco (R-Saipan) has already recommended that the delegation confirm the nominations of Torres and Santos.

Heavily regulated

Matt Deleon Guerrero said the new law has a strong foundation on which the regulations could be built upon to protect the community from abuse.

“The [new law] is heavily geared to the protection, especially of young people, those who are under 21, [from being] exposed to marijuana,” he said. “And [at the commission] it is our job to realize that the legislative intent is to make that this is regulated properly and live up to the terms of the law but also supplement the provisions of the law to provide for additional protections whenever necessary.”

Matt Deleon Guerrero said the new industry would encourage individuals to take advantage of the economic opportunities present within the industry or local value-added industries. “We should start developing not just individual entities operating within the marijuana economy but developing an entire industry…so that it can expand outwards. But none of the economic benefits would matter if we’re not adequately protecting public interest and safety as regulators.”

Other states

Nadine Deleon Guerrero, who plans to leave her post as local Homeland Security and Emergency Management external affairs officer after accepting the post to the commission, said that once the commission is formed, they would look at other jurisdictions in the continental U.S. on what should be done and the challenges that they faced. She said she understands the concerns of the community.

“I know there are a lot of issues and concerns and that is what [the commission] is here for—to address those concerns and that would be the first thing that we will look at. What are the challenges up ahead, the concerns of the community, and to develop our structure and procedures and protocols based on those concerns,” said Nadine Deleon Guerrero.

“We already know that there are plans in place that work within the industry, so we are just going to refine that and go back to what are the more problematic areas to make sure that we look at it with a fine-toothed comb. To make sure that we have every angle covered…”

She added that there are states in the mainland that have succeeded in legalizing marijuana use. She said the commission would look at other states and which of their plans worked. “It is definitely something in our radar. We would be studying that and implementing it after we see how we can diversify it to our culture and see how we can relate it to make it work best for our islands and our people.”

A lot of potential

Matt Deleon Guerrero said the commission is important when it comes to regulating the new industry, which they see has a lot of potential. “I think that there’s a lot of potential in order to encourage entrepreneurs to legitimize cannabis use and develop new sectors.

“This domestic industry has a lot of promise and we are one among a large number of states that have legalized cannabis use and we can play a lot of roles if we do it successfully. Primarily the role of the commission should be creating an atmosphere in which the business can develop but also protect the public from the consequences of these activities.”

He added that there have been a lot of criticisms with the law but they, as members of the commission, take their job seriously. “I know there are a lot of jokes about the commission. Some of them are funny, but this is something that we all really take seriously. Public safety is important, public safety initiative and also economic initiative…being able to support essential public services, families, and creating jobs, but also protecting our community.”

Nadine Deleon Guerrero added that it would be challenging and exciting on their part since this is a new industry that they would be tasked to regulate. “There’s a lot of pressure and controversy ahead but we’re no strangers to that.”

“Between me and Matt, and the other appointees, I’m sure we can handle it. We already have some contingency plan that we were working on since we knew about the appointment. And we’re excited to push forward with it.”

Public Law 20-66 is also called the Taulamwaar Sensible CNMI Cannabis Act of 2018, named after David “Taulamwaar” Peter, a well-known musician who penned the Carolinian verses of the CNMI national anthem and died in 2015.