Pubdate: Sat, 07 Feb 2015
Source: Alaska Dispatch News (AK)
Copyright: 2015 Alaska Dispatch Publishing
Contact:  http://www.adn.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/18
Note: Anchorage Daily News until July '14
Author: Scott Woodham

CAN I SELL CANNABIS CLONES TO HOME GROWERS AFTER ALASKA'S LEGALIZATION DATE?

A reader wonders if he'll be able to make a little green on the side 
once Ballot Measure 2 takes effect on Feb. 24, the day personal 
gardens containing six cannabis plants, three mature, will be allowed 
for Alaskans over 21 years of age.

Larry asks, "I am wondering after the law takes effect, will I be 
able to grow and sell clones to those folks who won't be able to get 
seeds or plants of their own?"

For folks who may not know the lingo, a "clone" is a cutting taken 
from a larger marijuana plant, known as the "mother." The cutting 
then goes through a process to make it grow roots and eventually 
become its own plant, a genetic duplicate of mom. Among other 
advantages, it's a way to accelerate the growing process because it 
gives a head-start compared to starting from seed.

Unfortunately for you or your potential customers, Larry, the answer 
is no. Because the law allows personal gardens, you will be able to 
grow a small number of clones for personal purposes, but you won't be 
able to sell them. You also won't have a way to legally purchase 
starters for any mother plants.

Sales of marijuana plants or buds or anything else will not be 
permitted until the state sets up a regulatory framework for retail 
sales. State officials have said that commercial transactions 
involving marijuana will remain illegal until the system is set up 
and permitted stores open their doors, which regulators say should be 
before May 24, 2016. But between Feb. 24 and then, it will be illegal 
to purchase or sell marijuana, including clones, even though limited 
possession and personal growing will be legal.

Until the initial regulatory process finishes, it will also be 
unknown what criminal or civil penalties will be for unlicensed sales 
or which agencies will be responsible for enforcement.

The new law does allow people over 21 to give each other up to an 
ounce of marijuana, and up to six immature plants, but giving stuff 
away without remuneration doesn't seem like a sustainable business practice.

Naturally people are free to take their own risks, and running 
headlong into legal contradictions is what marijuana's quasi-legal 
status in Alaska has asked people to do for quite some time. But for 
some businesses, the risk may be too great.

Have a question about marijuana news or culture in Alaska? Send it to  with "Highly Informed" in the subject line.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom