Marijuana bill fails to make ballot

Sen. Sixto K. Igisomar’s (R-Saipan) marijuana bill failed to make the ballot for the general elections in November, but he remains confident the measure—which aims to allow the people of the CNMI access to marijuana for medicinal, personal, and commercial uses—would get passed the next session.

“Unfortunately, right now, it did not make the ballot. It was an unfortunate timing for the bill to come out,” Igisomar, who is running for reelection, told Saipan Tribune. He has pre-filed 19-106 or the act to regulate marijuana use in the CNMI.

SB 19-106 first needs to become a law before it could be included in a referendum. But the Senate no longer has time to discuss it in their sessions with the Fiscal Affairs Committee busy holding budget hearings, while other senators are either off-island or have other priorities.

He added that he has already talked to Sen. Teresita Santos (R-Rota) and Rep. Felicidad Ogumoro (R-Saipan) on steps to take to make sure the bill moves forward. Santos and Ogumoro are the chairs of the Health and Welfare committees in the Senate and House, respectively, with the former responsible for holding the public hearings.

“That’s why it never got into the Senate and the Legislature. It was never deliberated and discussed since there were a lot of people who were off-island because of family and other priorities. That’s why we failed to hold a session last week, which was necessary,” said Igisomar.

“Sen. Santos wants to make sure everything is in place. She wants to go through the public hearings cautiously. But I assured the proponents and spoke to them that I would do my best to get this to public hearings,” he added.

Igisomar also saw the chance of reviewing his bill further in order to make the necessary revisions before being deliberated again. “Even though we missed the ballot, we will take this opportunity to do our best to make sure the people will have the chance to speak in public hearings.”

“And to give the bill any enhancement from amendments. The idea is to hopefully get it out of the Legislature to the governor for his signing, and have it on standby for ratification by the people.”

Igisomar said he remains hopeful that the process of getting the bill out to the Senate, then moving it to the House, and to the governor for his signature would be quick. “Hopefully the governor gets it right after the election and have him sign it. And if ever, have it on standby for next election.”

He is looking to have the measure on the ballot for the 2018 general elections or have a special election before that. The bill aims to help the CNMI’s need for access to medical marijuana.

Marijuana allegedly treats glaucoma, epilepsy, chronic pain, muscle spasms, and reduce nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy, and improve the appetite of people with HIV/AIDS. The use of cannabis for medicinal use is legal in Washington, D.C., Guam, and more than 20 other U.S. states.