Guam Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero announced plans to pardon people who were convicted of petty crimes or misdemeanors related to marijuana while it was still illegal on the island.[1] She said in a video message that she was seriously looking at pardoning people convicted of misdemeanors or single crimes related to marijuana, and was discussing it with key stakeholders.[1] She said several people who had made the mistake while marijuana was illegal were now having difficulty getting back to work.[1] Leon Guerrero said she was concerned about barriers to gainful employment and that her administration believed in second chances.[2]
Guam legalized marijuana in 2019, and people at least 21 years old may use and possess up to an ounce of it.[1] Sen. Clynt Ridgell, whose efforts led to the legalization bill, praised the governor and said it was time to make right what had been wrong in the legal realm for years.[1] The governor said she would issue an executive order.[1] Ridgell’s legislative committee scheduled a May 12 public hearing on the industry rules and regulations drafted by the Cannabis Control Board.[1]
The Cannabis Control Board had given lawmakers the final proposed industry rules and regulations in late February, and lawmakers had until early June to change, adopt or reject them.[2]
