I moved to Guam less than two years ago, drawn by the promise of a peaceful, family-oriented life in a unique American territory. But recently, while catching up on local news, I came across something that stopped me in my tracks: Guam's cannabis industry isn't just coming—it's already here.
While the Cannabis Control Board (CCB) is still processing applications for officially licensed dispensaries, intoxicating cannabis products are already being sold across the island. Five "Gateway" hemp shops now operate in Hagåtña, Agat, Yigo, Tumon, and Ordot-Chalan Pago, selling products that—while technically labeled as "hemp"—can get you just as high as traditional marijuana. As a newer resident still learning the nuances of life here, I find this shift concerning. The question is no longer whether this industry will arrive, but whether Guam is prepared for where it's heading.
The "Cabbage" Fallacy: Cannabis is Not Just Another Crop
There's a recent push, reported by the Guam Daily Post, to treat cannabis like any other agricultural product.
Let's be real: Cannabis is not cabbage. You don't get a "head high" from a head of lettuce! Unlike traditional produce, cannabis contains psychoactive compounds that require intense, specialized oversight. Attempting to apply standard "Department of Agriculture" metrics to a controlled substance is a dangerous shortcut. We aren't just growing watermelons; we're regulating a drug that has a massive impact on public safety and mental health.
The Hemp Loophole: Already Here, Barely Regulated
Here's what many residents don't realize: you can already buy intoxicating cannabis products across Guam—right now.
The 2018 Farm Bill created a loophole by defining "hemp" as cannabis containing less than 0.3% delta-9 THC. But clever chemistry has exploited this distinction. Products high in THCA (which converts to intoxicating THC when heated) or synthetic cannabinoids like Delta-8 can be sold as "hemp" while delivering the same high as traditional marijuana.
Gateway Guam has capitalized on this loophole, operating five retail locations across the island since 2023. These shops are 21+, cash-only, and sell flower, edibles, and other products that—despite the "hemp" label—are functionally indistinguishable from what you'd find in a licensed dispensary on the mainland.
The irony is striking: while the CCB meticulously processes applications for licensed cannabis establishments, an unregulated parallel market already thrives. These hemp shops operate without the testing requirements, potency limits, or oversight that the CCB was designed to enforce. We simply don't know what's in these products, who's buying them, or what the long-term effects on our community will be.
The Tourism Paradox: Who is This Really For?
The biggest selling point for legalization has always been "The Tourism Boost." But we have to ask ourselves: Who is it really for? It's definitely not going to help boost the tourism industry when you look at who actually visits this island. Guam's economy relies on South Korea and Japan—two countries with zero tolerance for drug use.
- South Korea's "Long Arm": Under the "Nationality Principle" (Article 3 of the Korean Criminal Code), Korean law follows its citizens everywhere. A tourist enjoying a "legal" gummy in Tumon can be arrested and imprisoned the moment they land back in Seoul. Source: Reuters
- Japan's Professional Death Sentence: Article 24-8 of Japan's Cannabis Control Act also applies to citizens abroad. The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already issued warnings to citizens about cannabis use in legal jurisdictions. In Japan, a drug record is "social suicide," leading to immediate job loss.
If 90% of our visitors can't use the product without risking their freedom or their careers, then the "tourism revenue" argument is logically bankrupt. If it's not for the tourists, then who is the target market?
Protecting the Brand—and My Family's Future
Guam is famous for being a "Family-Friendly" sanctuary. This is what convinced me to move my family here. However, the risk isn't just to tourism; it's to the community of families that call this place home.
As a parent of a young child, my top priority is the environment in which they grow up. If Guam normalizes a retail drug culture, many families like mine will be forced to make a hard choice. I didn't move here to have my child exposed to a drug-centric retail environment. If the island loses its reputation as a safe haven, it won't just lose tourists—it will lose the residents who contribute to its future. Being a new resident means I chose Guam; a pervasive cannabis industry might just make me choose to leave.
The Thailand Warning: A Case of "Instant Regret"
We don't have to guess what happens next; we can just look at Thailand. In 2022, they rushed to decriminalize. The fallout was so severe that by 2024, the government was forced to move to re-criminalize recreational use.
Why the sudden U-turn?
- Public Health Crisis: Massive spikes in emergency room visits for psychosis and toxicity.
- Pediatric Poisoning: A tenfold increase in children accidentally eating edibles that looked like candy.
- Social Decay: A chaotic atmosphere that quickly alienated traditional family travelers.
The Case for Stronger Regulation
The hemp loophole has already let the cannabis industry in through the back door. But the CCB-licensed market—with its testing requirements, potency limits, and regulatory oversight—hasn't fully launched yet. This gives Guam a critical opportunity.
- Close the Loophole: The federal government is already moving to restrict intoxicating hemp products (effective 2026). Guam should get ahead of this by bringing hemp shops under CCB oversight now—or restricting them entirely.
- Strengthen Oversight Before Expansion: Before issuing more licenses, ensure robust testing, clear potency limits, and strict enforcement mechanisms are in place.
- Protect the Brand: Every policy decision should be measured against this question: Does this preserve Guam's reputation as a family-friendly destination?
Conclusion: A Choice for the Future
Guam stands at a crossroads. The cannabis industry is no longer a hypothetical—it's already here, operating through regulatory gaps while the official system plays catch-up. We can let this continue unchecked, or we can demand stronger oversight before the situation becomes irreversible.
This isn't about prohibition. It's about ensuring that whatever path Guam takes, it's done thoughtfully, with proper safeguards for public health and the island's identity. The hemp loophole has shown us what happens when regulation lags behind reality.
Let's keep Guam safe—for the tourists who visit, and for the families who have chosen to make this island their home.