Guam legalized the adult use of marijuana on Thursday when Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero signed the contentious recreational cannabis bill into law.

The new law allows those at least 21 years old to possess up to an ounce of marijuana.

"We must regulate this illicit drug that is the most widely used drug in our society," the governor said. "We have to take it and control it, monitor its use and effects, benefit from its medicinal efforts, allow our people to live in a safer environment."

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Adults can grow no more than six plants for their personal use, but people still won’t be able to legally buy or sell marijuana until rules are finalized by a board within the year and approved by the Legislature.

Leon Guerrero, who's marking her third month on the job, signed Bill 32 minutes before a press conference at little after noon Thursday.

The governor later issued a circular to all department and agency heads, stating that the government of Guam's policy against marijuana use remains unchanged and employees could be terminated from employment for using cannabis.

"In short, employees of both line and autonomous agencies can be tested for cannabis and will still be subject to all of the potential disciplinary actions. This includes termination from employment," the governor wrote.

'We have to control it'

The governor said she kept an open mind, listened to those from both sides of the debate and talked to doctors, nurses, lawyers, social workers, law enforcement agents, religious leaders, parents, the youth, senators and other members of the community.

"Keeping it illegal in my mind rejects the motion that it exists and that the underground market will continue to prey on us. We have to be ahead of this and we have to control it," she said.

The governor said after listening to the community, people agree about the positive impacts cannabis has done for those in pain and suffering from cancer, debilitating neurological illnesses, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other conditions.

At the Adelup press conference, the governor was joined by Lt. Gov. Josh Tenorio and four of the eight senators who voted to pass the bill: Sen. Clynt Ridgell; Speaker Tina Muña Barnes\; Sen. Régine Biscoe Lee; and Sen. Louise Muña. Others who voted for it were Sens. Joe San Agustin, Telo Taitague, Kelly Marsh and Jose Terlaje.

The governor signed the bill about a week after she met with groups who support and oppose recreational marijuana. She called for unity despite differences on the bill, adding her office will accept questions about the new law and will launch an education campaign.

Ridgell: We're still family-friendly

The Guam Cannabis Industry Act of 2019, now Public Law 35-5, establishes a nine-member Cannabis Control Board to oversee the testing, manufacturing, licensing, packaging and production of marijuana. The board has up to a year to develop rules and regulations, which are subject to the Legislature's approval.

Ridgell made it clear that a cannabis testing facility is required before the industry could move forward, or before any legal sales could begin.

The freshman senator said he doesn't believe the new law affects the image of Guam as a family-friendly destination.

"We have alcohol everywhere on the island and alcohol is not always friendly to families," he said. "I hate to say it, but if you look at Tumon, there’s a lot of non-family friendly businesses there."

Do’s and dont’s

While there are still questions the government can’t answer about the legislation until after regulations are approved, there are some absolute do’s and don’ts based on how the law is written.

It’s illegal to drive under the influence of marijuana. It is also illegal to consume it in public.

The law, according to the governor, strengthens rather than weakens the protection of the youth by more directed regulations.

"Nothing changes in the protection of our children as we remain responsible parents and responsible adults," the governor said.

Employers would still be able to maintain drug-free workplaces.

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"Nothing changes in the policies of our workplace as responsible businesses and agencies. We must continue to enforce zero-tolerance of substance abuse in the workplace," the governor said.

Ridgell thanked his colleagues, advocates and the community at large for their support, input and in engaging in a debate on the bill.

"This has been and continues to be a community issue, but the fight is not over yet," he said in a statement. “I invite the public to remain focused on continuing to provide input in the development of the rules and regulations by the Cannabis Control Board for safe, adult use cannabis."

From joy to disappointment

Reaction was swift, from those who support it and those that don't.

Tony Diaz, director of communications for the Archdiocese of Agana, said the church is "very disappointed" with the legalization of recreational marijuana and will continue to educate the public about its harm.

"It’s hard to put into words the disappointment that we have," said Diaz, who attended the press conference.

Ron McNinch, a political science professor at the University of Guam, believes the new law will be challenged in court.

"The Organic Act says we cannot pass laws that are contrary to federal law and this particular proposal is directly contrary to federal law," he said. He said it's a rule of law issue "and the rule of law means no one is above the law."

Joe von Rodeck, 65, said he's all for the responsible use of cannabis, but hopes there's strict enforcement so minors won't get their hands on it.

Lyn Wolf, of Sinajana, said she's thankful that cannabis will be a regulated industry for safety and economic reasons. She said she doesn't use marijuana and works in an agency that conducts random drug testing, but she's for legalization of it.

New industry

Del. Mike San Nicolas said he will work "to ensure that the Congress enables these enterprises to enter the financial system to eliminate the risks of all-cash enterprises."

The new law creates a new industry, will enhance individual freedom, and promote the efficient use of law enforcement resources, pro-marijuana senators said. It creates a regulated industry for public health, welfare, safety and taxation purposes, its proponents say.

Guam and the CNMI legalized adult use of marijuana through their legislatures rather than by putting the issue before voters. The bill narrowly passed the Guam Legislature by a vote of 8-to-7 on March 27.

Guam voters approved medical marijuana in 2014, but the program hasn't been fully implemented because of a lack of a testing laboratory, among other things. While waiting for the program to fully get off the ground, Guam approved home cultivation in 2018.

Jonathan Savares, an authorized medical marijuana patient, said the new law gives patients like him expedited safe access to cannabis.

Reporter Haidee Eugenio covers Guam's Catholic church issues, government, business and more. Follow her on Twitter @haidee_eugenio. Follow Pacific Daily News on Facebook/GuamPDN and Instagram @guampdn.

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