Not a single company has applied for a medical cannabis testing license in Guam, putting the start of the program on hold, the Associated Press reports. The program was approved by voters in 2014 and Gov. Eddie Calvo approved the regulations last February.
The law requires potency and safety testing. Department of Public Health and Safety Acting Director Leo Casil estimates that the startup costs for the lab are about $1 million and that the program is at “a standstill” without the lab. Application fees for all potential Guam canna-businesses are $1,000.
Sen. Dennis Rodriguez, the medical cannabis regulations bill author, said he had hoped the Health and Safety Department “would be more proactive,” noting that the agency could reach out to public entities, such as the University of Guam, to do the testing.
Jonas Macapinlac, director of integrated marketing communications for UOG told Pacific Daily News that the Maine Lab is not being considered by the institution.
“The Marine Lab serves a specific purpose and this does not seem like a good fit. We would need to consider any possible ramifications to our land grant status and in our ability to receive federal funds.” – Macapinlac to the Daily News
Rodriguez told the AP that there are no plans to appropriate more funds to the Health Department for the program at this time.