Jacob Redmond
Well-Known Member
A petition urging the legislative delegation of Rota to legalize marijuana for the "economic benefit" of the island has been circulating since last year, Variety learned.
The petition has been signed by more than 300 residents, students and parents since it was launched in June 2014.
The signatories are urging the island's lawmakers to enact local legislation legalizing the growing, selling and smoking of marijuana (cannabis) for leisure and for medicinal purposes on Rota.
According to the petition, Rota is the most economically depressed island in the commonwealth.
There is "a large number of educated and productive members of the community leaving Rota to seek employment abroad."
The "high cost of commodities as well as the lack of goods and services available are greatly affecting the daily livelihood of the people."
"The lack of adequate transportation both surface and air is a contributing factor to the high cost of food and lack of employment opportunities for the people of Rota."
It added, "The lack of local funding to support local programs for the youth as well as the elderly has caused the deterioration of the environment and promoted and enhanced criminality."
To stimulate and spur vigorous economic development on Rota, a marijuana industry should be created, the petition stated.
It said through the legalization of marijuana and by allowing the growing and selling of it on Rota, the municipal government will benefit from charging for the licenses, collecting taxes and other fees which will be used to support various projects and help meet community needs.
Pending in the Senate, is S.B. 19-6 which proposes to legalize the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes.
The Senate conducted a two-day public hearing on Rota with Mayor Efraim Atalig among those who expressed support for the measure.
Others said it should be placed on the ballot for the people to decide.
In an interview, Sen. Sixto Igisomar, the author of the bill, said his intention is the medicinal use of marijuana.
"It's a compassionate piece of legislation to help people cure or alleviate their medical illness, and that's all. That's an option for people needing the herb. Recreational use is a different issue and possibly a lot more complicated for our residents to accept as a socially acceptable herb that should not be regulated," he said.
"I truly hope my Senate Bill 19-6 promotes a healthy discussion on marijuana. I don't think we should just resort to saying it is a no-no, taboo or telling our kids do not touch it, We should learn about the benefis and the dangers."
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Marianas Variety - Petition to legalize marijuana on Rota
Author: Cherrie Anne E. Villahermosa
Contact: cherrie@mvariety.com
Photo Credit: The Associated Press
Website: Marianas Variety - Marianas Variety - Today's Headlines
The petition has been signed by more than 300 residents, students and parents since it was launched in June 2014.
The signatories are urging the island's lawmakers to enact local legislation legalizing the growing, selling and smoking of marijuana (cannabis) for leisure and for medicinal purposes on Rota.
According to the petition, Rota is the most economically depressed island in the commonwealth.
There is "a large number of educated and productive members of the community leaving Rota to seek employment abroad."
The "high cost of commodities as well as the lack of goods and services available are greatly affecting the daily livelihood of the people."
"The lack of adequate transportation both surface and air is a contributing factor to the high cost of food and lack of employment opportunities for the people of Rota."
It added, "The lack of local funding to support local programs for the youth as well as the elderly has caused the deterioration of the environment and promoted and enhanced criminality."
To stimulate and spur vigorous economic development on Rota, a marijuana industry should be created, the petition stated.
It said through the legalization of marijuana and by allowing the growing and selling of it on Rota, the municipal government will benefit from charging for the licenses, collecting taxes and other fees which will be used to support various projects and help meet community needs.
Pending in the Senate, is S.B. 19-6 which proposes to legalize the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes.
The Senate conducted a two-day public hearing on Rota with Mayor Efraim Atalig among those who expressed support for the measure.
Others said it should be placed on the ballot for the people to decide.
In an interview, Sen. Sixto Igisomar, the author of the bill, said his intention is the medicinal use of marijuana.
"It's a compassionate piece of legislation to help people cure or alleviate their medical illness, and that's all. That's an option for people needing the herb. Recreational use is a different issue and possibly a lot more complicated for our residents to accept as a socially acceptable herb that should not be regulated," he said.
"I truly hope my Senate Bill 19-6 promotes a healthy discussion on marijuana. I don't think we should just resort to saying it is a no-no, taboo or telling our kids do not touch it, We should learn about the benefis and the dangers."
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Marianas Variety - Petition to legalize marijuana on Rota
Author: Cherrie Anne E. Villahermosa
Contact: cherrie@mvariety.com
Photo Credit: The Associated Press
Website: Marianas Variety - Marianas Variety - Today's Headlines
