CNMI looks to cannabis industry to boost economy

10:20 am on 25 August 2020

The Northern Marianas is looking to its cannabis industry as a way to resurrect an economy in ruins.

Marijuana buds ( cannabis), hemp plant. Washington State. Legal Medical marijuana law in US.

Photo: 123rf.com

The territory's tourism industry has been shut down since March, and lockdown measures were re-imposed on Monday in the face of a surge of Covid-19 cases.

The government's cannabis commission recently launched a home-grown registry programme, which allowed for marijuana-related businesses and investors from around the US.

So far the commission had received inquiries from off-island investors, including from Washington D.C and Boston.

Representative, Joseph Lee Pan Guerrero, also suggested the territory take over the running and licensing of the American Memorial Park from the US government, as a way to generate revenue.

Guerrero said the move would raise revenue and at the same time save money for the Marianas Visitors Authority by conducting events on-island.

He said the park would serve as a great venue for a cultural centre and all MVA activities like the Flame Tree Festival, Taste of the Marianas and nightly street market.