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GOVERNOR CONCERNED ABOUT RE-LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA

Governor Frank H.  Murkowski reacted to today's decision of the Alaska court of appeals re-legalizing the use of marijuana in private homes by directing the Attorney General to review the case and make recommendations on how the state should proceed.

"I am very concerned about this, as are many Alaskans," Murkowski said.

"Substance abuse continues to have a devastating impact on the people of Alaska and on our communities," Murkowski said.  "It is regrettable that the court of appeals has, in essence, rejected the will of the people of Alaska who re-criminalized the use of marijuana in a 1990 initiative.

"The flow of marijuana, along with alcohol and other drugs, continues into our rural villages.  Coincidentally, I have just received a report from the Department of Public Safety regarding the interdiction of drugs and alcohol being sent through the mail to rural villages, and, unfortunately, the incidence remains very high.  Substance abuse is causing great harm to our rural s ociety, specifically our young people.

"Alaskans who use marijuana should remember that its use or possession remains illegal under federal law," Murkowski said.  "And parents who use marijuana should think about the example they set for their children."