Shawn Raymundo

sraymundo@guampdn.com

Gov. Eddie Calvo on Tuesday suspended his support for his own bill to legalize marijuana on island from moving forward in the Guam Legislature.

Citing the potential crackdown on marijuana by President Donald Trump’s administration, Eric Palacios, representing the governor’s office, told lawmakers Calvo is suspending his push for further action on the measure he sent to the Legislature earlier this year.

“The administration is, among its options, suspending its push on this bill in light of the changing federal landscape,” Palacios said during a public hearing on Bill 8-34, Calvo’s Cannabis Control Act Tuesday afternoon.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions, appointed by Trump, has made his stance on recreational marijuana very clear throughout his tenure as a government official. In February, news outlets reported Sessions’ comments that the Justice Department intends to adopt “responsible policies” when it comes to enforcing the federal government’s pot regulations.

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer also previously told reporters he believes states “will see greater enforcement of” federal drug laws while marijuana remains listed as a Schedule I controlled substance.

Speaker Benjamin Cruz, chairman to the Committee on Adjudication, was absent from Tuesday’s public hearing, but in a prepared written statement Vice Chairman Sen. Frank Aguon Jr. read, Cruz too had been concerned with the White House’s statements and had sought Calvo’s input for weeks.

Cruz also intended to get additional input from more island residents on the bill, which would legalize marijuana and allow the government to regulate and impose a 15-percent sin tax.

In January, Calvo announced support to legalize marijuana and sent his bill to the Legislature. He'd met with officials from Colorado, one of the pioneer states to end pot prohibition. States where the drug has been legalized have raked in millions of dollars in revenue from marijuana taxes. Calvo intended to direct the first $40 million in tax revenue to the island’s public hospital.

The bill also stemmed from Calvo’s concerns that the implementation of Guam’s long-delayed medicinal cannabis program, which voters approved in 2014, would be too costly for the government. Calvo believes a regulated recreational market will help sustain the medical program.

Following Palacio's announcement, Aguon continued with the hearing, allowing those who attended to testify, but said he'd meet with the speaker to determine if the bill will move forward.

Marcus Cepeda, a local businessman speaking on behalf of the Home Grown Guam, encouraged the Legislature not to let the federal government stand in the way of the bill.

“I can tell you the federal government is not really concerned with cannabis right now,” he said. “Seven states legalized recreational marijuana and they’re not in prison,” he added.

Andrea Pellacani​, president of the local group Women Grow Guam said federal lawmakers have introduced legislation to take marijuana off the Schedule I list and protect states that have legalized pot.

“I think we need to consider what’s happening with the federal landscape,” she said. "But states are pushing back, because they want to protect their people.”

The Office of the Attorney General said the section of the bill that proposes to remove marijuana as a Schedule I substance is something other states haven’t done.

“It would no longer be a crime to drive under the influence of marijuana on our highways, nor would it be a crime to use, possess or distribute marijuana in the Drug Free School Zone,” the AG's office stated.

It also contested statements that a regulated market would eliminate the illicit sale of the drug.

“Instead, recreational marijuana likely will feed a ‘gray market’ unless adequate funds are provided to law enforcement and regulatory agencies to combat illegal sales and distribution,” the AG's office stated.

Sedfrey Linsangan testified against the bill, stating legalizing marijuana on Guam would negatively impact future generations of Guam.

“We will be needing a lot of police officers cause there will be a lot of crimes,” Linsangan said.

Linsangan went on to question the need for people to use drugs like marijuana when Guam is already a relaxing place to live.

“We’ve got so many freedoms already … you can be happy already,” he said. “Guam is already a relaxing place. Watching TV at home with our family.”

Written testimony from the Japan Medical Marijuana Association also supported the bill, stating legalizing marijuana is the compassionate thing to do.

“Deciding to allow those who prefer to use a safe and non-addictive plant to do so without locking them in cages is compassionate,” wrote Colin Kawaguchi, the association’s international liaison. “The residents of Guam voted for the compassionate use of cannabis years ago. It is now the obligation of Guam’s governing officials to carry out the will of the people."

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