The state will begin licensing dispensaries on April 11th, though it will likely take several months before dispensaries start to implement smoking sections Alaska is associated with many good things: cold-weather cruises, salmon bakes, a 1996 feel-good movie starring Pete from Mad Men and a baby polar bear, TK. And now, we can add one […]
Alaska
Alaska adopts rules for on-site marijuana consumption at retail shops
Alaska is set to be the first state with laws on the books regulating marijuana use in retail cannabis shops. Alaska Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer on Tuesday signed off on new regulations that allow on-site cannabis use in retail marijuana shops. The rules go into effect April 11. That’s when freestanding stores can start to apply for […]
‘Real nonsense’: Why are Alaska marijuana buyers obsessed with high potency?
In Alaska’s cannabis stores, a trend has developed: Marijuana is often priced by its potency. Much like the alcohol percentage displayed on a bottle of wine, cannabis labels include THC percentages, which usually range from the low-teens to the mid-20s. But is the more expensive bud – as much as 60 to 80 percent more — worth the price? […]
Alaska Marijuana Board Fines Cannabis Competition For Illegal Sales
Alaska marijuana regulators have fined the operator of a pot competition, the Alaska Cannabis Classic, saying the event illegally sold marijuana and promoted public consumption. The Cannabis Classic, which took place May 19 in Anchorage, was fined $20,000, with $15,000 suspended. That means the operator will have to pay only $5,000 so long as the event […]
States Are Considering ‘Sanctuary’ Status For Cannabis Businesses
Taking a cue from the fight over immigration, some states that have legalized marijuana are considering providing so-called sanctuary status for licensed pot businesses, hoping to protect the fledgling industry from a shift in federal enforcement policy. Just hours after U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced on Jan. 4 that federal prosecutors would be free to crack down on […]
Four Marijuana-State Govs Ask Feds to Leave Them Alone
Four governors of states where voters have legalized marijuana for recreational use are asking the Trump administration to leave in place an Obama-era agreement that gave exemptions to the legal pot industry. In a letter to Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, the governors asked the Justice Department to maintain a 2013 […]
Alaska Announces New Director of Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office
The state announced Tuesday (Feb. 21) a new head for the office in charge of regulating alcohol and marijuana. Erika McConnell has worked in Anchorage’s municipal planning department for more than a decade. More recently, she wrote the city’s regulations for commercial cannabis businesses. McConnell’s new job as director of the Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office […]
First Legal Marijuana Dispensary in Alaska May Open This Week
Two Kenai Peninsula growers wasted no time delivering their product to the state’s first cannabis testing facility when it opened its doors at 8 a.m. Monday in Anchorage, one of the final steps before Alaskans can legally purchase marijuana. Leif Abel, co-owner of Greatland Ganja, walked into CannTest LLC right after the testing lab opened; he’d gotten up at 4 a.m. to make […]
Three More Marijuana Licenses Approved by Anchorage Assembly
At Tuesday’s Anchorage Assembly meeting, just two people spoke out against a midtown marijuana business that a Campbell Elementary School employee protested in a school message to parents on Monday. The employee, who has not be identified, sent out an audio message to all parents at the school, urging them to attend the meeting and oppose […]
Here’s Where You’ll Be Able to Buy Legal Marijuana in Alaska
Alaska is likely just weeks away from the state’s first legal marijuana sales, according to Cynthia Franklin, the Director of the Alcohol and Marijuana Control office. As of Sept. 28, there are 33 marijuana businesses listed in “active status” for their licenses. These businesses are some of the closest to operating under the new regulations, […]
Alaska: Army Prohibits Soldiers From Attending Marijuana Events
Alaska-based soldiers have been barred from attending any events involving promotion of the use of marijuana or hemp, including all fairs, festivals and conventions, to clarify the military’s position as the state prepares to allow legal pot sales. The policy, issued by Maj. Gen. Bryan Owens, commander of U.S. Army Alaska, was announced Thursday and […]
Alaska Marijuana Control Board Approves First Retail Marijuana License
Alaska marijuana regulators have approved the first permit for a pot 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 […]
Anchorage Assembly Take Big Step: Approves First Commercial Grow
The Anchorage Assembly approved the city’s first commercial marijuana grow Tuesday night, a significant step forward for the developing legal cannabis industry. “This whole green revolution, it starts here tonight with the City of Anchorage,” said Assemblyman Dick Traini who voted to approve the local marijuana license and special-use permit for Dream Green Farms and to refer […]
Alaska Marijuana Control Board Overwhelmingly Approves Licenses in Historic Meeting
Alaska’s Marijuana Control Board ended its historic June meeting Friday afternoon after approving most of the grower licenses on its agenda and voting to open up future discussions about advertising and out-of-state investment. On Thursday, the state’s first-ever commercial marijuana businesses were approved. On Friday, the board picked up where it left off, jumping into cultivation license approvals. […]
Alaska Regulators Approve First Marijuana Licenses For Growing and Testing
Alaska regulators were applauded Thursday as they approved the first licenses for legal marijuana growing and testing facilities — another milestone for the fledgling industry. Priority was being given to growing and testing operations to ensure that retail stores will have legal product to sell. The first retail licenses are expected to be issued later […]
Alaska Zeroes in on Regulations For Cannabis Bars
No happy hours, but serving food and non-alcoholic beverages would be allowed in Alaska’s marijuana cafes, according to draft rules accepted by the state’s Marijuana Control Board. On Tuesday, the board agreed on draft regulations that show the first details of what the “on-site consumption” area, akin to a café or bar, would look like. The draft […]
Alaska’s Marijuana Social Clubs Dwindle, Now Down to Only One
Anchorage’s Pot Luck Events is the only marijuana social club still operating without a legal challenge, as statewide puzzlement to their legality produces a patchwork of local controls. Fairbanks’ The Higher Calling and Homer’s Kachemak Cannabis Club have both closed, and the City of Kenai is seeking an injunction against Green Rush Events. The clubs, […]
Cannabis Business Licenses in Alaska Held Up by Legislative Gridlock
Prospective marijuana business owner Bryant Thorp was the very first person in Alaska to get word that his cannabusiness application was complete, except for one thing — a background check that the state doesn’t have the legal authority to conduct. In the Marijuana Control Board’s March 25 letter to Thorp the agency wrote that it couldn’t […]
