Legislation that would provide more time for cannabis companies to get rolling amidst a slow buildout of the industry drew support from businesses and no objections from regulatory officials during a public hearing Thursday. Bill 245-38 by Sen. Telo Taitague would extend the exemption on the requirement to have a cannabis testing laboratory in place in order to sell products.
A July 2024 law temporarily exempted cannabis businesses from laboratory testing requirements ahead of a lab being established on Guam, but a year and a half later there's still no testing lab in place. Taitague's measure would extend the exemption for another five years, or until a lab that meets required accreditation standards is established.
"Laboratory testing for cannabis is an important safeguard for consumers, and this bill does not abandon that principle," Taitague said. She said her bill does not change testing standards but is a restricted time allowance to give regulated businesses a path forward while the testing infrastructure is being established.
"Full testing requirements are triggered as soon as a licensed testing facility becomes operational, and the bill simply extends the sunset provision period to allow that transition to occur without penalizing businesses for conditions beyond their control," she added.
Read more at The Guam Daily Post
