Proponents keep the pot boiling by Mark Rodriguez
Proponents keep the pot boiling by Mark Rodriguez
-pot legislation
Saipan
? Proponents of marijuana legalization in the CNMI are still facing an uphill battle .
marijuana , for instance , and he is leaving his marijuana all over the place , and it is accessible to children and the children take it , that is not in the best interest of the child .?
He added that they anticipate an increase in young children coming into the juvenile justice system based on marijuana consumption when , in some households with a medicinal marijuana user , the substance becomes easily accessible to children .
Consequently , developing applicable treatment programs is another concern , he said .
Workplace
According to Dana A . Gutierrez , attorney at Calvo , Fisher & Jacob LLP , marijuana use in the US continues to be a ? hazy and complicated topic .? ? One thing that is not clear are the rights and obligations of employers and employees in the workplace , which depends on who the employer is , and is very jurisdiction specific ,? she said .
The local medicinal marijuana law , on the other hand , remains untested in terms of workplace and employment issues . However , those who are under the employment of the federal government are clearly covered by the Drug Free Federal Workplace Act , according to Gutierrez . The law prohibits federal employees from the use of illegal drugs . ? It also states that the use of illegal drugs by employees , whether on or off duty , is contrary to the efficiency of service . And persons who use illegal drugs are not suitable for employment ,? she added .
There are also implications for companies that are doing business with the federal government . Gutierrez mentioned a provision in the federal law that requires contractors with at least $ 100,000 in contracts and all federal grantees to maintain a drug-free workplace or DFW . The policy must be put in place even if a local jurisdiction has already passed legislation in support of medicinal marijuana or decriminalized its use . Non enforcement of this policy , may result in penalties , including grant or contract termination .
Meanwhile , local law does not have a provision addressing workplace issues related to medicinal marijuana use . Guam employers , she said , can still enforce a drug free workplace and require drug testing . They can prohibit employees from reporting to work under the influence of illegal drugs or medicinal marijuana . And they can prohibit the use and possession , buying and selling manufacturing or dispensing of the substance .
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Sen . Sixto K . Igisomar introduced Senate Bill 19-106 , which seeks to decriminalize marijuana and make it accessible for medicinal , personal and commercial use . Igisomar was hoping the people would get to vote in a referendum but his legislative measure didn ? t make the ballot . Due to time constraints , the 19th Legislature was unable to act on the proposal , which needed to become law before it could be put on the ballot .
Sensible CNMI , a newly-formed group that advocates legalization of marijuana , and Tinian Mayor Joey Patrick San Nicolas , support the two-term senator ? s advocacy .
Sensible CNMI said regulating and taxing marijuana use in the CNMI would have a positive impact on the community as evident in states where medical marijuana has been legalized .
Igisomar and supporters of his proposed measure are advocating for responsible marijuana use through similar regulations and taxation that apply on alcohol , betel nut , cigarettes and tobacco , therefore preventing those under 18 years old access to it .
Igisomar , chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare , said he and his supporters plan on launching a public information campaign to allay the critics ? concerns . ? We need to remove in people ? s minds that one would just smoke it . I ? m talking about boiling it and drinking it as a tea . People should be reminded that marijuana is an herb and you can boil the eaves or the root and drink it . It could really help people with chronic diseases and epilepsy ,? he said .
Igsomar said the prohibitive cost of medicinal marijuana in the CNMI has prompted him to push for its legalization . Local pharmacies sell Marinol , a prescription drug constituent of medical cannabis , which costs between $ 200 and $ 800 . This amount is fortune for those who don ? t have insurance .
Catholic groups oppose the legalization of marijuana , warning it would contribute to the prevalent crystal meth problem and casino gambling in the community .
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