Pubdate: Mon, 13 Apr 2015
Source: Marianas Variety (US MP)
Copyright: 2015 Marianas Variety
Contact:  http://www.mvariety.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4642
Author: Cherrie Anne E. Villahermosa

COMMUNITY MEMBERS EXPRESS SUPPORT FOR MEDICINAL MARIJUANA BILL

MORE than 60 people attended a public hearing on the medicinal
marijuana bill Friday evening at the multi-purpose center in Susupe.

Of the 27 who spoke during the hearing, 24 said they supported Senate
Bill 19-6 while three were against it.

Esther Muna, CEO of the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp., said her only
concern is the regulation in the implementation of the bill to ensure
that marijuana will be used for medicinal purposes only.

Anthony Raho of the CHCC board said he supports the bill because he
believes it is good for healthcare, but added that he is not speaking
on behalf of the corporation.

He also doesn't think that CHCC should be the regulator as proposed in
the bill.

Liza Hunt, a lawyer from Colorado, which legalized marijuana in 2012,
said the CNMI should proceed with some caution.

Carol Peter Hosono said although she, too, is in favor of the bill,
she's concerned about possible federal obstacles.

Jude Villagomez said the CNMI should keep an open mind about the bill
to help those suffering from disabilities like him.

He said it's no longer a question of whether it's good or bad for the
people - what's important, he added, is that something should be done
for those suffering from cancer.

Jack Muna said he and his family tried to help ease the pain of his
mom who had cancer by providing her with medicinal marijuana.

Gary Sword said it's about time that lawmakers start a doing something
productive for the CNMI.

Retired educator Ambrose Bennett and Commerce Secretary Mark
Rabauliman also testified in the favor of the bill.

Among those opposed were Mariano Fajardo and Lino Olopai.

They said there should be more research first.

The author of the bill, Sen. Sixto Igisomar, said talking about
medicinal marijuana is good for it educates the people and will help
them decide whether they think it's good or bad.

He thanked the people who attended the public hearing for voicing
their thoughts and concerns.

Another public hearing will be held on Tuesday, April 14, starting at
6 p.m. in the Senate chamber, and this will be followed by yet another
hearing on Tinian on a date that will be announced soon.

Among the lawmakers who were present at the public hearing were
Committee Chairwoman Teresita Santos, Sen. Frank Cruz, Sen. Steve
Mesngon, Sen. Jude Hofschneider, Sen. Justo Quitugua, Reps. Roman
Benavente and Leepan Guerrero.
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MAP posted-by: Matt