[ad_1]
Southern Medicinal has converted the old Mataura paper mill into a medicinal cannabis and hemp growing, testing and processing facility.
photo: Supply/Southern Medicinal
Northern Mariana Islands – Marijuana
A government aide asked all stakeholders to work together to make necessary reforms to make cannabis tourism a productive source of revenue for the Commonwealth Government of the Northern Mariana Islands.
Oscar M. Babauta Sr., Special Assistant to the Governor for Administration, recently wrote to cannabis stakeholders stating that the Commonwealth of the CNMI is in desperate need of new revenue sources.
He also reminded them that the cannabis industry was originally created as a source of income.
He said the government spends more than $200,000 a year on the marijuana industry than it collects in taxes and fees from the marijuana tourism industry.
Barbata said the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands is currently in a “horse race” with Guam, which has legalized recreational use of marijuana.
Tonga – Drugs
In the nine days to August 17, Tongan police arrested 17 people on suspicion of importing methamphetamine.
Matangi Tonga The reported charges also included planning to sell and distribute the drug.
The Tonga Police Narcotics Squad seized a total of 6.1 kilograms of drugs believed to have been imported from the United States during raids on August 9, 13, 14 and 17.
The suspects charged include a customs official, a prison officer, an inmate, two Comanchero gang members and a local businessman, the news outlet reported.
Guam – Archbishop
Guam has officially appointed a new archbishop who will be tasked with addressing the remaining issues of its sex abuse scandal.
The Archdiocese of Agana has officially appointed Ryan Jimenez as the new Archbishop of Guam.
He inherited the task of completing the implementation of a settlement agreement between the archdiocese and more than 250 former altar servers who filed lawsuits alleging that clergy members sexually abused them.
The new archbishop acknowledged that church leaders had let the community down, hurt it and betrayed its trust.
Jimenez said a court has ordered a financial trust to pay millions of dollars in settlements to victims of abuse.
Financial challenges arising from the case also led the church to sell off property.
Pacific – Fisheries
The Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) said it had completed a 12-day monitoring and surveillance programme.
The operation covers the exclusive economic zones and adjacent high seas areas of the 11 participating member states of FFA, covering an area of approximately 18.2 million square kilometers.
Australian Marine Fisheries Service director Dr Manu Tupou-Rawson said by conducting comprehensive compliance checks on vessels and operators “we are ensuring our marine resources are effectively managed and protected”.
Papua New Guinea – Tourism
Satisfaction among tourists surveyed travelling to Papua New Guinea between June and November 2023 was 4 out of 5.
This is according to a report by the Pacific Tourism Organisation.
The report said more than 60,000 tourists brought about $182 million in revenue to Papua New Guinea.
900 adults and 144 children participated in the survey.
The top three purposes for overseas visits are business or conference-related, vacation, and visiting relatives and friends.
The report also highlighted areas for improvement, including airport services, safety and security, public services and infrastructure, and environmental cleanliness.
Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority chief executive officer Eric Mosman-Uwowo said by understanding visitor trends and economic impacts, they can tailor marketing campaigns to attract more tourists.
This will also enable these countries to strengthen economic growth and create more jobs for their people, he said.
[ad_2]
Source link
