On June 9, 2023, Scot Thompson was issued the first Marijuana Lounge Class 1 License in the CNMI. The Marijuana Lounge Class 1 license permits the licensee to sell marijuana for on-site consumption. Mr. Thompson was also issued a Marijuana Retail License, adjacent to the lounge premises, located in Garapan, Saipan.

Existing licensee, Saipan Select, LLC , was issued the first Marijuana Process License in the CNMI.

A Marijuana Process License permits the licensee to process marijuana items into products such as topicals, concentrates, and extracts.

June 9, 2023

Image L-R Chairman Palacios, Vice Chairman Hofschneider, and Treasurer Iguel (Missing: Secretary Songsong)

During the CNMI Cannabis Commission regular meeting on May 8, 2023, Commissioners unanimously voted on newly elected officers, as follows:

Saipan Commissioner Jose B. Palacios, Chairman

Tinian Commissioner Journie Hofschneider, Vice Chairman

Rota Commissioner Thomas L. Songsong, Secretary

Northern Islands Commissioner Juan Iguel, Treasurer

May 8, 2023

Jose B. Palacios and Juan T. Iguel are sworn in as the newest CNMI Cannabis Commissioners. Commissioner Palacios (representing Saipan) and Commissioner Iguel (representing the Northern Islands) will join Commissioner Journie M. Hofschneider (Tinian) and Commissioner Thomas L. Songsong (Rota).

May 5, 2023

The House Committee on Cannabis held a public hearing on July 6, 2022 regarding House Bill 22-78. Erik Basa, A/Managing Director and Matt Deleon Guerrero, Vice Chairman attended the hearing and responded to any questions Committee members had.

After over a year since the recreational and medicinal use of cannabis was made legal in the CNMI, the CNMI Cannabis Commission, in collaboration with the Office of the Attorney General Criminal Division, held a two-day enforcement training to clarify the dos and don’ts for legal cannabis users.Description goes here

March 22, 2022

The CNMI Cannabis Commission held a stakeholder’s meeting at Saipan World Resort on April 20, 2022 where several issues related to the islands’ cannabis industry were discussed.

The CNMI Cannabis Commission announces the licensure of the Commonwealth’s first Marijuana Producer License Class 2, issued to Max Investments, LLC dba Max Farms, located in Saipan.

CNMI Cannabis Commission Managing Director, Monique Boyer Sablan, explains to members of the House of Representatives during a session Thursday of the commission’s support for a bill that clarifies the commission’s powers and makes needed changes to the Commonwealth Code to support adequate development of the cannabis industry in the Commonwealth.

September 28, 2021

Commission issues first Retail & Producer Class III commercial licenses to Saipan Select, LLC.

May 13, 2021

The CNMI Cannabis Commission announces the licensure of the Commonwealth’s first commercial cannabis license (Marijuana Producer License Class 1), issued to Slider Marianas, LLC in Saipan.

March 12, 2021

Commission board members present to the 22nd Legislature’s House Committee on Commerce & Tourism and Cannabis. The committee is chaired by Congresswoman Denita Yangtemai (D-3) and Vice-chaired by Congressman Patrick San Nicolas (R-6). The Commission presented on its history, current projected revenue, continued challenges, and ways forward.

February 18, 2021

Commissioners join Managing Director, Monique Sablan, while she addresses the current state of the Commission following the opening of Cannabis Commercial Application intake on August 4, 2020.

November 17, 2020

AAG Chester Hinds and Monique Sablan, CNMICC Managing Director, conduct training for the Department of Public Safety upper management consisting of captains, lieutenants, and sergeants from the Criminal Investigations Bureau, Patrol, Boating Safety, and the DPS Commissioner’s Office.

October 23, 2020

The Commission will begin accepting commercial and noncommercial applications on Tuesday, August 4, 2020, marking the official opening of the Cannabis Industry within the Commonwealth.