In a stunning first, the Northern Mariana Islands became the first U.S. location to legalize adult recreational cannabis through legislative action, not popular vote or referendum.
Republican Gov. Ralph DLG. Torres signed the law which signals massive change in political and bipartisan perception of cannabis use. This could become helpful in the nationwide quest to legalize cannabis, showing that politicians have the agency to enact this level of change and transform the laws to reflect what the majority of American people have been asking for.
As Leafly reported, “The Taulamwaar Sensible CNMI Cannabis Act of 2018 grants those age 21 or older liberty to:
- Possess up to one ounce of cannabis, 16 ounces of edibles or 72 ounces of infused drinks, and five grams of hash. You can have quite the weekend rager with that.
- Later in the year, adults can grow up to six mature plants, though they may have to register with a new cannabis regulatory commission.
- Within six months, the new commission must create rules for an islandwide cannabis industry. There’s a 10% tax on cultivation.
“Led by Colorado and Washington in 2012, nine US states and Washington DC have legalized cannabis. So has the country of Uruguay.” Congrats to the Northern Mariana Islands!
Read more about the groundbreaking legislation here.
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