1st marijuana producer license issued

Gov. Ralph DLG Torres congratulates Victor Cabrera, owner of T-Marianas, who was issued last Friday a commercial marijuana producer one class license at the Governor’s Office conference room. Also in the photo starting behind Torres are acting CNMI Cannabis Commission managing director Janina Maratita, press secretary Kevin Bautista, CCC board chair Nadine Deleon Guerrero (partly hidden), and CCC board secretary Journie Hofschneider. (FERDIE DE LA TORRE)

The CNMI Cannabis Commission issued last Friday the first marijuana commercial producer license in the CNMI—a development that Gov. Ralph DLG. Torres described as a milestone in the cannabis industry.

The newest licensee, Slider Marianas LLC, which does business as T-Marianas, was granted a commercial marijuana producer Class 1 license in a signing ceremony held at the Office of the Governor’s conference room.

Gov. Ralph DLG Torres immediately congratulated the owner of T-Marianas, Victor Cabrera, for the successful license application and thanked the CCC board members and its officials for helping move the process.

“…We’re here to make sure that we support it,” Torres said.

He also expressed appreciation to CCC managing director Monique Sablan for always pushing for the cannabis process, saying they were able to sign the first successful application, thanks to Sablan’s leadership and cooperation of the CCC board. “It is a milestone,” the governor said.

He said the process is made difficult by the pandemic, but at the end of the day, they want to encourage everyone to get their permits and do it right. “The industry is here. I support it. We support it. And just follow through. And, I’m sure, with the leadership [at CCC], they’ll be able to assist you every step of the way,” Torres said.

CCC board chair Nadine Deleon Guerrero said it’s exactly 18 months since they were sworn in as commissioners. “And it’s been a challenging road. But it’s been fun. It’s been great working with the administration,” Deleon Guerrero said.

She said they’re very proud that a CNMI resident got to sign the very first commercial license in the CNMI. “That’s amazing. That is great. And we just want to welcome you into the industry. What a precedent to be setting,” said Deleon Guerrero, referring to T-Marianas owner Cabrera.

She said CCC board secretary Journie Hofschneider and vice chair Matt Deleon Guerrero have been working hard with acting managing director Janina Maratita and managing director Monique Sablan to ensure that “all the X’s and dots and the T’s are crossed” and that they have everything in place.

Sablan, who’s in the U.S. mainland and is on leave, spoke on the phone at the press conference.

Sablan said she looks forward to working with Cabrera when she gets back on island.

Sablan said that obtaining the license is a tedious process but that they just want to do what is legal and right. “We want to show the rest of the Pacific how to do it correctly and do it right,” she said.

Cabrera said he is thankful to the board and CCC staff.

“I appreciate all of the support you guys have given me. Big thank you to Ms. Monique Sablan and Ms. Janina Maratita for putting up with my constant emails and harassment at times,” Cabrera said.

He said it was a long seven months for him and his wife. “We started this process back in August. So it’s been 18 months that you guys have been doing that. We’ve been there halfway with you. So it’s been a long road,” Cabrera said.

He said it was a very difficult seven-month process because of all the required permits and everything that needed to be done “in hopes of being legitimate, so we can grow this industry correctly. And that’s where I hope we can be a big part of that growth…hoping to that we can…share that knowledge with others who are interested in joining too and hopefully make this industry successful for everyone.”

In a later interview, Cabrera said they probably wouldn’t have any product available until this June or May, so getting started as soon as possible is important right now.

He said they have spent about $14,000 for repairs and renovations of the building for their indoor farm, and to secure permits and licenses.

T-Marianas’ cannabis farm will be located at the first floor of a two-story building in Chalan Laulau.

Cabrera said because of Public Law 20-66, producers are only allowed to sell to retailers, lounges, wholesalers, and laboratories.

“I can’t sell directly to customers. I will not have any customer traffic. The only customers I will have will be retailers as of right now. And they will be listed in my shop,” he said.

Maratita said there are 18 pending applications from Saipan for farms, retailers, and lounges, and that there are also the same number non-commercial homegrown applicants on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.

She disclosed that they have a lot of inquiries so they are expecting to get more applicants within a few weeks or months.