The community is urged to participate in the discussion on the adult recreational use of cannabis on Guam.

A public hearing on Sen. Clynton Ridgell's Bill 32-35 will be stretched over two sessions, from 9 a.m. to noon and again from 2 to 6 p.m. today at the Guam Congress Building in Hagåtña.

Ridgell said he has five co-sponsors of the measure including bipartisan support, which bodes well for the passage of the legislation.

"I think most of my colleagues are very open to the idea of a safe, well-regulated cannabis industry, and I'm hopeful that once they hear all of the pertinent facts surrounding this proposal the majority of us will see that this will be good for Guam," he stated. Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero has also told The Guam Daily Post that she supports Bill 32.

Residents who can't attend the public hearing can watch it on TV or on the Legislature's YouTube channel. Additionally, testimony, concerns and recommendations can be sent to the senator's office up to 10 days after the hearing.

Andrea Pellacani of Grassroots Guam said she has some recommendations to help improve the island's cannabis policy. Ultimately, however, what's needed is legislation that provides a solid foundation for cannabis use now, but also a path to future discussions on integrating medical and adult recreational use.

"We can't delve too deep into that discussion now," she said. "Otherwise we'll get stuck."

Years in the making

The island community, for years, had flirted with the idea of legalizing marijuana. In 2014, a majority of the island's voters passed a referendum to legalize the medicinal use of cannabis. Shortly after a bill became law, concerns were raised that led to its repeal and the eventual passage of its replacement.

The implementation of the medicinal cannabis industry has been slow going. Some in the community argue that the government just needs to commit to the policy and ensure its full implementation, while others, mostly government officials, say the private sector needs to participate by creating a laboratory that tests the quality of medicinal cannabis products. There also are other concerns, including those of doctors worried about the legal implications or who have said they don't have the knowledge to properly prescribe the medication to patients.

Pellacani said the bill creates a board to help address those questions and ensure implementation, which is a good start. But she also is recommending the creation of a division at the Department of Revenue and Taxation to assist with the implementation and help oversee the program.

"A part-time board with five members can't do it on their own," she said.

She also plans to present recently collected data and statistics showing trends in states that have implemented similar laws.

"We have to look at the data ... and make the best policies based on what we know ... and what others have experienced," she said, noting that the Colorado state government has statistics that Guam can use to help determine policy here. "I encourage everyone to look at the Colorado Division of Public Safety Statistics. ... They have been really good at collecting data."

Pellacani said with updated and relevant information in hand, she hopes the community will come out to help the shape cannabis policy reform that includes "sensible regulation" that fits the local community.

Correcting misinformation

Ridgell, who has been out in the community to share information about his proposal, said he's received positive feedback from the community. He said much of the concerns he's heard is related to misinformation about marijuana that has been perpetuated over many years.

"I feel that most of the concerns from the community seem to stem from the demonization of the cannabis plant, achieved through various means of propaganda over the years," he said.

He said the plant has medicinal benefits and data shows it is not dangerous, pointing out that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention doesn't have a record of any deaths associated with cannabis overdose – a stark contrast to other illegal drugs. He said data also "suggests" that cannabis is not a gateway drug, and that legalization in some regions has led to a "significant drop" in opioid use.

There are questions about whether the bill is organic, Ridgell said, "however, I believe these questions were answered by the Guam Supreme Court, which is what paved the way for the medicinal cannabis law."