16 Oct 2017

Marijuana plebiscite proposed in CNMI

8:12 pm on 16 October 2017

A bill before the Senate in the Northern Marianas could give voters on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota the choice to legalise marijuana on their islands.

Marijuana plant

Marijuana plant Photo: (Esteban Lopez via unsplash.com)

The bill would enact a plebiscite known as a legislative initiative to be held during next year's general election.

It also contains provisions for the regulation of cannabis which would only become legal on Saipan, for example, if a simple majority of voters support it.

If voters on Tinian or Rota, meanwhile, decide that legalising marijuana is not for them, then the herb would continue to be outlawed on those two islands.

The bill must first pass the Senate, the House of Representatives and the governor for the plebiscite to be enacted.