Alaska Advocates Submit Enough Signatures to Put Cannabis Legalization to a Vote This August
An organization aiming to put a cannabis legalization initiative on this August’s ballot in Alaska has submitted more than 46,000 signatures to the state’s election office
today; 30,000 are required to put the proposal to a vote.
“It’s clear that Alaskans are eager to have an opportunity to express their displeasure with the current system and make a change,” says Tim Hinterberger, a professor in the School of Medical Education at the University of Alaska Anchorage, and the lead sponsor of the initiative.
State election officials have 60 days to verify whether 30,000 of the 46,000+ signatures are from registered Alaska voters.
If approved into law, the initiative would make the possession of up to one ounce of cannabis, and the cultivation of up to 6 cannabis plants entirely legal – through a constitutional amendment – for those 21 and older. Public consumption of cannabis would be an $100 ticket.
The proposal also authorizes state-licensed retail outlets to distribute cannabis to adults, which would be put under the regulatory control of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board.
If put on the ballot and approved this August, the initiative would take effect in early 2015.
– TheJointBlog