Pubdate: Fri, 03 Apr 2015
Source: Alaska Dispatch News (AK)
Copyright: 2015 Alaska Dispatch Publishing
Contact:  http://www.adn.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/18
Author: Laurel Andrews

ALASKA HOUSE PASSES BILL CLARIFYING MUNICIPAL MARIJUANA REGULATIONS

The state House Thursday afternoon passed a bill that would clarify
municipal regulation of marijuana businesses and define the number of
plants allowed per household.

House Bill 75 clarifies municipalities' processes for registering
marijuana businesses; authorizes "marijuana clubs" where the substance
could be consumed; gives municipalities power to establish civil and
criminal penalties for businesses; defines what the term "assisting"
means in terms of helping someone with their plants or marijuana;
establishes provisions for communities to prohibit businesses; and
establishes a 24-plant limit per household.

The 11-page HB 75 was sponsored by the House Community and Regional
Affairs Committee. Chair Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla, testified that the
bill was "fix-it" legislation seeking to clarify processes for
implementing the initiative at the municipal level. More than a dozen
municipal attorneys helped craft the bill, Tilton testified.

Alaska's initiative legalizing recreational marijuana went into effect
Feb. 24, but the eight-page bill left many of the details of
regulation up to the state. HB 75 will now advance to the Senate for
further consideration. On the Senate side, the closely watched
marijuana crime bill has advanced furthest, passing the Senate last
week and now heading to the House.

An amendment offered by Rep. Bob Lynn, R-Anchorage, that would have
reduced the number of plants to 12 per household was debated on the
House floor.

Lynn argued that 24 plants per household is "just way, way too many.
We don't need to, and shouldn't, legalize a forest of marijuana plants
in a dwelling."

Tilton testified that the municipalities had asked specifically for a
24-plant limit. Matt Claman, D-Anchorage, argued that 24 plants is a
"reasonable compromise" that would avoid lawsuits and uphold Alaska's
constitution.

Lynn's amendment failed 10-27.

Under the ballot initiative, a person 21 or older may possess up to
six cannabis plants, three of which may be mature at a time. The
Alcoholic Beverage Control Board has said the six-plant limit is per
household. If the bill were to pass in its current form, it would
allow four times that amount.

Rep. Lora Reinbold, R-Eagle River, testified that she would vote
against the bill due to numerous concerns with the legalization of
marijuana, notably regarding public safety.

Rep. Tammie Wilson, R-North Pole, testified that she would vote
against the bill because it defines a limit on the number of plants
per household instead of per person. "I don't know how many it should
or shouldn't be," Wilson said.

The bill was the first to reach the House floor. It passed 35-3, with
Mike Chenault, R-Nikiski, Reinbold and Wilson voting against it.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Matt