Governor will not stand in the way of Bill 215

by Sabrina Salas Matanane

Guam - Following this morning's passage of Bill 215 by the Guam Legislature, Governor Eddie Calvo says he will not stand in the way of the people's right to decide on the issue. Bill 215 will allow the voters of Guam to decide during the November General Election whether the use of marijuana should be legalized in Guam for medicinal purposes only. The bill known as the "Joaquin Concepcion Compassionate Cannabis Use Act of 2013" was named after local musician "Savage K" who died last year from cancer. After he was diagnosed he and his family relocated to the state of Washington where the use of medicinal marijuana is legal.

The legislation was introduced by Senators Tina Muna Barnes and Aline Yamashita. It passed this morning by a vote of 14-1. Senator Dennis Rodriguez Jr. was on the only senator who voted against its passage.

The Governor issued the following statement on the bill:

"This is not one of those issues high on my priority list. But I do understand this issue is important to many people, either for or against legalization. I'm not going to stand in the way of the people's right to decide on an issue. But as a voter and a father, I'm going to require something of myself and ask every voter to do the same. I'm going to look at this issue with the facts. I'm going to ask my doctors and the police officers I know about this. I'm going to talk to the folks who deal with drug abuse and the families affected by cancer. I'm going to look at my personal experiences with people I love who had cancer. I'm going to make an informed decision that is good for my children and good for Guam. I ask every voter to do the same. Legalization has consequences, good, bad, and unknown.,"