alaska marijuana Archives

Alaska Legislature Approves Resolution Urging Federal Government to Respect Their State’s Marijuana Law

April 21, 2018 by Anthony Martinelli

Alaska’s full legislature has passed a resolution urging the federal government to respect their marijuana laws, and to consider a change in federal law.

House Joint Resolution No. 21 was passed unanimously by both the House and Senate. The House concurred with the Senate’s version on April 20.

The resolution urges the federal government” to respect the authority of the state to regulate marijuana use, production, and distribution and to honor previous federal guidance on marijuana policy”, and urges them “to reconsider its listing of marijuana as a schedule I controlled substance.”

Alaska Senate Passes Resolution Urging Feds to Respect State Marijuana Laws, Reconsider Marijuana as Schedule 1 Drug

April 19, 2018 by Anthony Martinelli

A resolution urging the federal government to respect Alaska’s marijuana legalization law, and to consider a change in federal law, has been passed by the state’s full Senate.

House Joint Resolution No. 21 urges the federal government” to respect the authority of the state to regulate marijuana use, production, and distribution and to honor previous federal guidance on marijuana policy”, and urges them “to reconsider its listing of marijuana as a schedule I controlled substance.” The House of representative has already approved the resolution in a unanimous vote last month.

Alaska of course is one of nine U.S. states where marijuana is legal. Passed in 2014, Alaska’s marijuana law allows those 21 and older to possess and use up to an ounce of marijuana, which they can purchase from a state-licensed marijuana retail outlet. The law also allows for the personal cultivation of marijuana.

Alaska House Unanimously Approves Resolution Urging Feds to Respect Their Marijuana Law

March 21, 2018 by Anthony Martinelli

Alaska’s House of Representatives is formally calling on the federal government to respect their marijuana laws.

The House on Monday voted unanimously, 38 to 0, to pass a resolution asking the federal government to respect Alaska’s law that allows, regulates and taxes marijuana use, production and distribution. According to the Associated Press, the resolution also urges the federal government to reconsider its listing of marijuana as a controlled substance.

The resolution now goes to the Senate. The Senate has thus far rejected a resolution from Senator Berta Gardner (D) that pushes back against Attorney General Jeff Sessions decision to rescind the Obama-era Cole Memo (which allowed state-legal marijuana businesses to operate without federal interference given they follow a set of guidelines). However, their refusal to act on that resolution isn’t necessarily an indicator that they won’t approve the House’s measure, especially since it was passed unanimously.

Alaska Garners Nearly $600k in Marijuana Taxes for July, Highest Month Yet

September 5, 2017 by Anthony Martinelli

Alaska earned nearly $600,000 in taxes from marijuana sales in July, the most since the state began legal marijuana sales.

In total Alaska garnered $577,901 in taxes from legal marijuana sales in July; this is according to the state’s Department of Revenue. The nearly $600,000 in taxes made in July is roughly a third of the $1.7 million in taxes Alaska garnered in all of fiscal year 2017 (which began on July 1st, 2016 and ended on June 30th of this year).

According to the Department of Revenue, the taxes earned came from 612 pounds of marijuana flower being sold, in addition to 369 pounds of trimmings (making the total sold at 981 pounds). Alaska collects $50 per ounce of marijuana flower, and $15 per ounce of marijuana trimmings.

Alaska Officials Vote to Allow On-Site Consumption of Marijuana at Retail Outlets

July 18, 2017 by Anthony Martinelli

The Alaska Marijuana Control Board’s has voted 3 to 2 to establish rules allowing marijuana to be consumed on-site at licensed retail outlets.

The approved proposal includes a specific set of rules and guidelines that would make Alaska the first state where on-site consumption of recreational marijuana is allowed at retail outlets. These include requiring ventilation, and limiting the amount of marijuana can be consumed. Approval of the rules will open up a 60-day public comment period.

At the meeting board member Brandon Emmett cited news stories about tourists coming to the state, purchasing marijuana and then having nowhere to legally consume it; this is because smoking in public remains illegal, and many hotels don’t allow it. He also brought up the Anchorage Assembly’s passage of a resolution that urges the board to allow consumption of cannabis in pot shops.

State’s First-Ever Cannabis Retail Outlet OKed in Alaska

September 9, 2016 by Anthony Martinelli

By Associated Press

Alaska marijuana regulators have approved the first permit for a cannabis retail store.

The Alaska Marijuana Control Board on Thursday approved the permit for Frozen Budz, which will be located in Fairbanks.

Co-owner Destiny Neade received a round of applause from the audience and clapped herself. As she walked back to her seat, she told the audience, “Now all I need is some herb.”

Alaska Officials Vote to Allow On-Site Cannabis Consumption at Retail Outlets

November 21, 2015 by Anthony Martinelli

By Associated Press

The board tasked with writing rules for Alaska’s recreational marijuana industry voted Friday to allow for people to use pot at certain stores that will sell it, a first among the four states that have legalized the drug.

The 3-2 vote by the Marijuana Control Board also changed the definition of the term “in public” to allow for consumption at some pot shops, none of which are open yet. Colorado, Washington and Oregon have legalized recreational marijuana but ban its public use, including in pot stores.

“This would put, I think, Alaska in the forefront on this issue,” said Chris Lindsey, a legislative analyst with the Marijuana Policy Project.

Cannabis Possession and Cultivation Now Legal in Alaska

February 24, 2015February 24, 2015 by Anthony Martinelli

In Alaska, it’s now legal for those 21 and older to possess up to an ounce of cannabis, and to cultivate up to six cannabis plants.

Ballot Measure 2, which was approved by voters in 2014 and officially became law at 12:00AM on February 24th, also makes the distribution of cannabis legal through state-licensed cannabis retail outlets (regulated by the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board), though these outlets aren’t expected to open until spring to summer of next year.

Cannabis Legalization Goes Into Effect Tomorrow in Alaska

March 21, 2015February 23, 2015 by Anthony Martinelli

Starting tomorrow, February 24th in Alaska, it will be entirely legal under state law for those 21 and older to possess up to an ounce of cannabis, and to cultivate up to six cannabis plants. This is due to Ballot Measure 2, approved by voters in 2014, becoming law.

Ballot Measure 2 also legalized the distribution of cannabis through state-licensed cannabis retail outlets, which will be regulated by the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, though these outlets aren’t expected to open until early to mid next year.

Cannabis Possession and Cultivation Becomes Legal in Alaska Tuesday, February 24th

February 19, 2015February 18, 2015 by Anthony Martinelli

Starting Tuesday, February 24th, the possession and private cultivation of cannabis will be legal in Alaska thanks to the voter-approved passage of Ballot Measure 2.

As part of the new law, those in Alaska who are 21 and older will be authorized to possess up to an ounce of cannabis, and will be legally allowed to cultivate up to six plants. Cannabis retail outlets were also legalized as part of the passage of Ballot Measure 2 – to be regulated by the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board – though they won’t be open until next year.