Implementing medicinal marijuana on Guam
Guam will join two dozen other states allowing medicinal marijuana. But local stakeholders are working to ensure its implemented properly.
December 5, 2014Updated: December 5, 2014
By KUAM News
By KUAM News by Ken Quintanilla
Guam - By next year, Guam will join two dozen other states to allow for the use of medicinal marijuana. But before that does happen, local stakeholders are working to ensure its implemented properly.
"As I committed, I am not going to stop here, I want to make sure we do this for all the right reasons to take care of those who are suffering from debilitating health issues," stated Senator Tina Muna Barnes, the co-author behind the legislative submitted referendum on medicinal marijuana recently approved by voters in the general election. And while she's worked on the issue for more than a year, she's not stopping to ensure its implemented properly locally. "I will be leaving December 8th and I will be headed to the National Conference of State Legislators in Washington D.C. and one of the main topics of discussion is about medical marijuana so I'm happy to tell the people that I will continue this effort moving forward to facilitate the communication going forward as it relates to medical cannabis and what it will do for our island but more importantly to look at all the concerns that the people have out there and to make sure we don't make the same mistakes that other states have," she said.
Along with meeting with other state legislators, Barnes is also in communication with retired California judge Peggy Hora who was on Guam last month for the Pacific Judicial Driving While Intoxicated Conference. Barnes is one of many local stakeholders who are working on the issue. Public Health director James Gillan is in Arizona this week meeting with the Arizona Department of Health Service director Will Humble. Gillan has stated after expenses, Arizona was able to generate $7 million in excess revenue through the implementation of medicinal marijuana.
GEDA in the meantime is also putting together an economic assessment regarding costs of implementation and impact on organizations. Barnes says she will continue to work closely with all parties involved. "I'm hopeful the council that will be empanelled by the administration, will be good for Guam and to make sure those rules and regulations are put in place before it comes back to this august body it will go through the 'AAA' process, so there will be public hearings and the public will share their input on how this will move forward for Guam," the senator said.
Guam - By next year, Guam will join two dozen other states to allow for the use of medicinal marijuana. But before that does happen, local stakeholders are working to ensure its implemented properly.
"As I committed, I am not going to stop here, I want to make sure we do this for all the right reasons to take care of those who are suffering from debilitating health issues," stated Senator Tina Muna Barnes, the co-author behind the legislative submitted referendum on medicinal marijuana recently approved by voters in the general election. And while she's worked on the issue for more than a year, she's not stopping to ensure its implemented properly locally. "I will be leaving December 8th and I will be headed to the National Conference of State Legislators in Washington D.C. and one of the main topics of discussion is about medical marijuana so I'm happy to tell the people that I will continue this effort moving forward to facilitate the communication going forward as it relates to medical cannabis and what it will do for our island but more importantly to look at all the concerns that the people have out there and to make sure we don't make the same mistakes that other states have," she said.
Along with meeting with other state legislators, Barnes is also in communication with retired California judge Peggy Hora who was on Guam last month for the Pacific Judicial Driving While Intoxicated Conference. Barnes is one of many local stakeholders who are working on the issue. Public Health director James Gillan is in Arizona this week meeting with the Arizona Department of Health Service director Will Humble. Gillan has stated after expenses, Arizona was able to generate $7 million in excess revenue through the implementation of medicinal marijuana.
GEDA in the meantime is also putting together an economic assessment regarding costs of implementation and impact on organizations. Barnes says she will continue to work closely with all parties involved. "I'm hopeful the council that will be empanelled by the administration, will be good for Guam and to make sure those rules and regulations are put in place before it comes back to this august body it will go through the 'AAA' process, so there will be public hearings and the public will share their input on how this will move forward for Guam," the senator said.