Aside from politics, education and healthcare questions, the congressional candidates at the forum hosted last week at the American Samoa Community College were asked about their view of legalizing marijuana in the territory for medical purposes. The forum, which took place last week Thursday, was hosted by the ASCC Student Government Association.

Eight of the nine congressional candidates attended the forum: Aumua Amata, Mapu J. Jamias, Mark Ude, Meleagi Suitonu-Chapman, Rosie Fualaau Tago Lancaster, Togiola Tulafono, Tua’au Kereti Matautia Jr., Tuika Tuika were there, while incumbent Faleoamavaega Eni Hunkin was absent.

There was a mixture of reactions from the congressional candidates on the subject. 

Tua’au said because he cares enough for the free choices, that his public perspective is that he does not support the legalizing of marijuana.

Chapman on the other hand agreed to it, pointing out that she’s a child from the 60’s, where there was peace and love. “My answer would be yes, it’s medicinal, anything to ease the pain… absolutely.”

Lancaster said no, saying that American Samoa already has a drug problem and this would be contributing to it.

“It’s another question that should be put to the people to see what they think— and if they think it’s a good idea, so would I. I mean, distributing it for medicinal purposes is not a bad thing, it’s been successful in other states. It’s something we never really thought about before, and maybe we ought to think about it,” said Amata.

Ude, who’s an attorney said American Samoa has the harshest penalty for marijuana. He said one of his clients, who can legally be in possession of marijuana for medical purposes in the States, is now facing a mandatory sentence of five years because, upon entering the territory he had marijuana in his possession.

“The marijuana penalty here is extremely harsh, they equate marijuana with opium and heroin as a controlled substance,” Ude pointed out, adding that he spoke to the DoH Director three weeks ago asking him to look into this matter, as other states are legalizing marijuana for medicinal use.

Togiola said he does not support it, because it has been proven that marijuana affects young minds.

Tuika jokingly said that he was about to ask the students behind him if they had smoked pot before. He said he cannot give an answer because he’s never tried it. “A lot of news from the States says that people are getting better with marijuana, but because I don’t understand marijuana I will have to say no,” he said.

Mapu said he agrees with legalizing marijuana for medical purposes. “However we have to keep open minds that this is for medical purposes, if this can be taxed appropriately that can be another source of revenue — but for public consumption, it’s a no.”