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House bill gives Cannabis Commission access to fees
The House of Representatives unanimously passed Tuesday afternoon on first and final reading a bill that gives the Commonwealth Cannabis Commission access to the license fees and other charges it generates for its daily operations.
Authored by Rep. Janet U. Maratita (R-Saipan), House Bill 21-130 now goes to the Senate for action.
The bill repeals and re-enacts a provision of the Taulamwaar Sensible CNMI Cannabis Act of 2018, mandating that all license fees and application fees shall be placed in an account separate from the general fund and considered special revenue to pay for the operational expenses of the Cannabis Commission. The funds in this account shall be in a revolving fund that shall not lapse at the end of the fiscal year and shall not be subject to any fiscal year limitations.
Maratita said she filed the bill at the request of the Cannabis Commission and its managing director.
Maratita said the Legislature has not appropriated funds to the commission other than the Saipan Northern Islands Legislative Delegate’s $25,000.
Right now, she said, the Cannabis Commission has collected over $11,000 and that, according to the Finance secretary, they cannot expend or use the money without legislative appropriation.
“I must emphasize that I’m not a supporter of the cannabis industry, but because it’s here, I believe it’s my duty now to, you know, see how we can see the industry thrive,” Maratita said.
