Pubdate: Sat, 05 Dec 2015
Source: Alaska Dispatch News (AK)
Copyright: 2015 Associated Press
Contact:  http://www.adn.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/18
Note: Anchorage Daily News until July '14

KETCHIKAN BANS POT SHOPS

KETCHIKAN (AP) - Retail marijuana shops will not be allowed to open 
within Ketchikan city limits.

Thursday's 5-2 vote came after public comment and a 20-minute 
discussion, the Ketchikan Daily News reported.

Councilman Dick Coose voted in favor of the measure. He said 
residents can still grow and share their own marijuana if they are at 
least 21 years old, but that the city does not need to make the 
substance readily available by allowing shops.

"I recognize the voters did it to themselves," he said. "Well, 
sometimes, the voters don't always get it right, and this is one of 
them. I think it's wrong, because there's too many dangers out there. 
If the people are going to smoke it, they've got that opportunity."

Officials also expressed concern over state regulations and 
questioned the expectations for government revenue from taxing marijuana.

Council members Judy Zenge and KJ Harris dissented. Zenge said unlike 
with home growers who share their marijuana crops, consumers know 
what they're getting from regulated retailers.

"We tell people (that) if they want to effect change, you need to 
vote, so they did," she said. "And so, I don't think we get to pick 
and choose. They voted, let's do it."

Harris said prohibiting pot shops means a loss of potential tax revenue.

"It's OK for us to sell all the booze in the world and sell all the 
jewelry in the world ... but a new product just scares the hell out 
of us," Harris said.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom