Cannabis in the CNMI to be the topic at this year’s Attorney General’s Cup

The 35th Annual Attorney General’s Cup Speech Competition will be held on Friday, May 3, 9:00 am at the Hyatt Regency Ballroom.

This year, seven high schools will be participating in the competition and they include Dr. Rita Inos High School, Eucon International School, Grace Christian Academy, Marianas High School, Mount Carmel High School, Saipan Southern High School, and Kagman High School.

The 35th annual speech competition focuses on the legalization of Cannabis in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. This year’s topic is centered on the following: Is the passage of Public Law 20-66, also known as the Taulamwaar Sensible CNMI Cannabis Act of 2018, a cure or a curse for the Commonwealth? Will it help or hurt the CNMI in the short term or the long term?

Judging the AG’s Cup speech competition this year are current and former Attorneys General, Guam Attorney General Leevin T. Camacho, Chief Justice Alexandro C. Castro, Presiding Judge Roberto C. Naraja, and Chief Judge for the District Court of the NMI Ramona V. Manglona.

The ceremonial Posting of the Colors will be conducted by the JROTC Dolphin Battalion of Marianas High school, and alongside performing the CNMI and National anthem are the talented Marianas High School Glee Club.

The competition will be live streamed via the CNMI Attorney General’s Cup Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/2019CNMIAGCUP. Additionally, the broadcasting group of Marianas High School will perform the video production of the speech competition.

The Attorney General welcomes the public to attend the event and support the students of the CNMI on May 3, at 9:00 am at the Hyatt Regency Ballroom. For more information on the Attorney General’s Cup, please contact Ms. Keola Taisacan at the Office of the Attorney General’s Criminal Division at 237- 7600.

35th Annual AG’s Cup Speech Competition is Scheduled for May 3rd, 2019

The Attorney General is pleased to announce that the 35th Attorney General’s Cup Speech Competition will be held on May 3rd, 2019 at 9:30 am at the Hyatt Regency Ballroom.

Eight (8) high schools will be participating in this year’s competition. The schools include Dr. Rita Inos High School, Eucon International School, Grace Christian Academy, Marianas High School, Mount Carmel High School, Saipan Southern High School, Tinian High School, and Kagman High School.

“The AG’s Cup Speech Competition provides the CNMI’s high school students with the opportunity to research an issue that affects the Commonwealth, form a position on the issue, and showcase their voice and passion on the topic,” says Attorney General Manibusan. He adds, “The AG’s Cup Steering Committee have been meeting and working diligently in preparation for this event and we are delighted to have eight high schools join us this year.”

This year’s topic focuses on the legalization of Cannabis in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands: The issue presented in this year’s competition is:

Is the passage of Public Law 20-66, also known as the Taulamwaar Sensible CNMI Cannabis Act of 2018, a cure or a curse for the Commonwealth? Will it help or hurt the CNMI in the short term or the long term?

In preparing their speech, the students are asked to consider the following: 1) Cannabis is still illegal federally; discuss how this could affect production and consumption of Cannabis in the CNMI. How has it affected production and consumption in other jurisdictions? 2) What types of regulatory systems have been developed in other jurisdictions that allow recreational Cannabis use? 3) What have been the positives and negatives associated with recreational Cannabis use in jurisdictions that have legalized its use?

“The passing of Public Law 20-66 on September 21, 2018 made for a historic, yet, contentious topic in the CNMI,” says Attorney General Manibusan. He continues, “The topic is of great significance for the students to provide objective analysis and research to decision makers on cannabis policy that will have a significant impact on our community.

The Office of the Attorney General welcomes the public to attend the event and support the students of the CNMI. For more information on the Speech Competition, please contact Ms. Keola Taisacan at the Office of the Attorney General’s Criminal Division at 237-7600.

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