Pubdate: Mon, 07 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 OFFICIAL WANTS TO REVISIT POT SHOP VOTE

KETCHIKAN (AP) -- A Ketchikan council member plans to ask for 
reconsideration of the city's recent pot shop vote.

Members voted 5-2 to prohibit retail sales of marijuana within the 
city limits. The council can prohibit retail pot sales by passing an 
ordinance opting out of the retail sales portion of the state's 
voter-approved marijuana law, Ballot Measure 2, the Ketchikan Daily 
News reported.

Councilwoman Julie Isom says she voted to prohibit retail sales, but 
later heard from residents who said they weren't aware of the vote. 
The agenda said there would be a "discussion of whether to allow 
retail marijuana businesses within city limits."

Councilman Bob Sivertsen voted with the majority to prohibit retail 
sales. He said the agenda should have stated a vote would take place.

"The public elects officials to make informed decisions, and I feel 
that's what I did," he said. "I wish the process had been a little cleaner."

Isom said she also spoke with a long-time resident whose relative, 
born with a medical condition, wants to use marijuana. She plans to 
ask the council to reconsider its vote at a Dec. 17 council meeting.

If a four-member majority puts the issue up for reconsideration, Isom 
says she will pursue a special meeting to give everyone an 
opportunity to weigh in before a vote.

Failure of the reconsideration vote could put an opt-out ordinance 
before the city council at its Jan. 7 meeting.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom