Alaska Will Become First State to Have On-Site Consumption at Marijuana Stores

By a close 3 to 2 vote, the Marijuana Control Board approved applications by GoodSinse LLC in Fairbanks and Cannabis Corner. Although there are cities in Alaska and other states that have voted to allow on-site marijuana consumption, this marks the first time that it’s received state approval

Daniel Peters, a co-owner of GoodSinse, whose application was the first of the two to be approved, told the Associated Press that it’s dream come true.

“This is historic in my mind,” he said in an interview, adding that they hope to be open by summer. “This is a really big milestone … when you’re trying to bring normalcy to something in a new industry.”

Ayme Zantua, a co-owner of Cannabis Corner, said they are aiming for a February opening. She said they are hoping to capitalize on the number of tourists who visit Ketchikan, a summer cruise ship stop.

Alaska’s rules for onsite consumption took effect in 2019, after years of discussion, notes the AP. The rules call for consumption areas to be separated from the rest of the property, either by a secure door and having a separate ventilation system or by being outdoors. “They are to have smoke-free areas for employees to monitor consumption, and people cannot bring in product not purchased on site.”

The board, meeting this week in Juneau, has also been consider barring vaping and easing a building requirement for shops that want to offer places to consume edibles but not permit smoking.