The Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services will begin issuing business licenses for medical marijuana on Jan. 18.
The medical marijuana program, established by the Joaquin Concepcion II Compassionate Cannabis Use Act of 2013, authorizes the issuance of business licenses commercial cultivation, manufacturing facility, dispensary and testing laboratory.
Under the law, patients qualified to use medical cannabis are those diagnosed with debilitating conditions such as cancer, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord damage, epilepsy, HIV or AIDS, post-traumatic stress disorder rheumatoid arthritis or similar inflammatory disorders, and those under hospice care.
Guam is the first U.S. territory to legalize marijuana for medical purposes.
Earlier this week, Gov. Eddie Calvo submitted a bill to the Legislature, proposing the legalization of marijuana for recreational use.