Pubdate: Sat, 21 Nov 2015
Source: Honolulu Star-Advertiser (HI)
Copyright: 2015 Associated Press
Contact: 
http://www.staradvertiser.com/info/Star-Advertiser_Letter_to_the_Editor.html
Website: http://www.staradvertiser.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5154

LAST FRONTIER FIRST TO OK POT USE IN SHOPS SELLING IT

The board tasked with writing rules for Alaska's recreational 
marijuana industry voted Friday to allow 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.

On-site consumption was a hot topic during the public comment process 
in Alaska. Board chairman Bruce Schulte, who offered the amendment, 
said there appeared to be a public demand for such facilities.

In November 2014 voters passed the state's initiative legalizing 
recreational pot use by those 21 and older. The initiative banned 
public consumption but didn't define "public."

Regulators adopted an emergency regulation earlier this year when the 
law was taking effect that defined "in public" as a place where the 
public or a substantial group of people have access.

Some initiative supporters thought that definition was too 
restrictive, saying it would seemingly even bar pot consumption at 
weddings or office parties.

The board amended the definition to allow for consumption in a 
designated area at certain licensed pot stores. It had previously 
said it lacked the legal authority to create a type of license 
permitting public use.

Cynthia Franklin, the board's director, said she expects another 
round of regulations detailing exactly what will be allowed at those 
stores, such as the types of marijuana.

The Marijuana Control Board also voted to scrap a proposed regulation 
banning marijuana clubs. Schulte said the intent behind that was not 
to sanction or endorse the clubs. But he said if the board has no 
authority under the initiative to regulate the clubs - as an attorney 
for the board stated - it also can't prohibit them.

The regulations, once adopted, will undergo a legal review by 
Alaska's Department of Law.

It is still illegal to buy pot in Alaska because businesses have not 
yet been licensed to sell it. The board is set to begin accepting 
business applications in February, with the initial industry licenses 
expected to be awarded in May.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom