Cannabis panel adopts emergency rules

With the tourism slowdown, the CNMI government is turning its attention to a new industry—cannabis—for ways to shore up the limping economy

Last Tuesday, March 10, the CNMI Cannabis Commission unanimously adopted emergency rules and regulations, which, once signed by Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, would allow the commission to jumpstart the industry, for a period of 120 days.

This is pursuant to a section of the law that legalized the cannabis industry in the CNMI, which states that emergency regulations could be adopted, with the concurrence of the governor, effective for a period of not longer than 120 days.

The emergency rules and regulations govern and regulate the cannabis industry in the CNMI pertaining to marijuana producers, retailers, processors, wholesalers, and lounges. The emergency regulations also establish reserved sections for medicinal marijuana, laboratory licenses, and the processing of edibles, which will be established at a later date by the commission.

CNMI Cannabis Commission chair Nadine Deleon Guerrero pointed out that, with many potential investors interested in setting up businesses related to cannabis legalization in the CNMI, the CNMI can move into an industry that can help diversify the economy.

“The CNMI’s current economic climate calls for revenue generating ideas that can help circumvent the shortfall caused by COVID-19. …We recognize that each CNMI resident is a stakeholder in the industry, whether it be through practicing responsible adult cannabis use or in owning a marijuana related business,” she said.

“Community support is the key component of our success and we continue our efforts to ensure safe, responsible, and educated use. We anticipate the public’s comments and we invite them to do so during the finalization of this process,” Deleon Guerrero added.

With all sectors working to ensure the CNMI gets through this COVID-19 crisis, Cannabis Commission managing director Monique Boyer Sablan said that the Commonwealth needs the immediate infusion of financial resources to continue funding public health, safety, and overall welfare of the islands.

“It is important to note that the emergency regulations are the first phases of the fully constructed procedures, but the commission believes that the current emergency regulations address the immediate and necessary measures to initiate the revenue generating cannabis industry. We are working attentively to ensure our office is ready for operations to be able to meet the needs of potential applicants,” Sablan added.

Although the commission has been working to ensure an immediate jumpstart to the cannabis industry, it has faced many challenges, including financial constraints.

The CNMI Cannabis Commission said in a statement yesterday that it continues to remain steadfast in its mission to regulate the cannabis industry by implementing and administering the laws enabling responsible adult personal use of cannabis and to capture a new revenue stream that contributes toward overall economic progress in the Commonwealth.

Pursuant to Public Law 20-66 and Public Law 21-05, the commission held its organizational meeting in September 2019 to begin the structuring, framework, and promulgation of the CNMI Cannabis Commission rules and regulations.

By law, the commission is responsible for prescribing forms and adopt such rules and regulations as the commission deems necessary for the implementation and administration of the Cannabis Act within 180 days after the commission’s organizational meeting.