Pubdate: Tue, 09 Feb 2016
Source: Fairbanks Daily News-Miner (AK)
Copyright: 2016 Fairbanks Publishing Company, Inc.
Contact:  http://newsminer.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/764
Author: Marcus Mooers
Note: Marcus Mooers is a co-owner of The Higher Calling cannabis club 
in downtown Fairbanks.

CANNABIS CLUBS PROVIDE A VALUABLE SERVICE

Cannabis clubs have been in the news a lot, from the front page of 
the News-Miner to the top news story on TV to the community 
perspectives on the opinion page. It is a new industry, and the new 
business is causing some concern and trepidation. But very little has 
been said about why Fairbanks needs a cannabis club, and what such a 
business has to offer.

AS 17.38, passed by the majority of Alaska voters, legalized 
recreational marijuana use and possession and set out guidelines for 
how much a person can grow at home and posses in public.

In Fairbanks, the vote passed by one of the largest majorities in the 
state - 58 percent.

Now people have the right to possess and use cannabis - but 
apparently only at home. The cannabis community is quite social; 
cannabis growers like to show off their products, people like to get 
together to consume and share information on growing. So where are 
those folks who can now grow, but don't have any idea how to, going 
to get started?

Cannabis users are now legal, many have a medical use and they 
deserve a place to be a community. Citizens who rent or live in 
apartments are not permitted to grow because of their landlord also 
deserve a place to safely partake of their rights.

Otherwise, they will be smoking in their cars or on the sidewalks, 
definitely a crime and opening them up to being robbed - or worse.

AS17.38 also legalized cannabis retail shops (that's "shops" as 
opposed to clubs, where no cannabis is for sale). The Marijuana 
Control Board authorized those retail shops to have an area for 
consumption on premises.

Shops are unlikely to allow one to bring their own legally homegrown 
cannabis to consume; that's kind of against the business model.

Cannabis clubs offer an alternative to retail shop consumption for 
the 90 percent of local Alaskans who may never set foot in a retail store.

Cannabis clubs are more likely to have events, concerts and education 
seminars than a retail outlet.

Where are the tourists going to consume cannabis?

Those who smoke it are not going to be able to consume in hotels or 
their campers in public campgrounds. Why make cannabis legal and 
encourage tourism revenue, but only if you live here and have a house?

Recently, The Cannabist (a publication of The Denver Post) published 
an article about how the mayor of Denver, who had previously banned 
cannabis clubs, was now changing his mind. Why? Because tourists are 
smoking in parks, on the street, in bars and even in the malls.

When people talk about keeping cannabis away from children, it seems 
logical that allowing private clubs is far safer than pushing 
tourists to a public park.

Fairbanks is positioned to catch a large part of the cannabis tourist 
market. They will be spending money in local restaurants, impulse 
buying at the tourist traps, staying in our hotels and buying our 
coffee. A cannabis-friendly Fairbanks means more tourist dollars 
coming into our area. With several other districts in Alaska banning 
all cannabis operations, Fairbanks becomes more attractive for 
tourists. Maybe we won't see a lot of tourists coming here just for 
cannabis like they do in Colorado, but those tourists who do come 
here might want to try some legally.

And cannabis clubs increase that value as a tourist attraction.

Some people also use cannabis for medical reasons.

There is a lot of information online and articles available about how 
cannabis use relieves pain, PTSD, stress and even AIDS with cancer treatment.

One thing we can all agree on is pot gives you the munchies.

Chemotherapy makes you feel sick and not hungry at a time when you 
need strength and food the most. Cancer does not care where you live. 
When people from outlying areas, like Tok for example, come to 
Fairbanks for chemotherapy, they have to stay in hotels.

Having a cannabis club is a safe place for them to consume an 
obviously useful - if not necessary - medicine.

Denying them a place to consume borders on cruelty.

I urge you to do your own investigating with an open mind, and keep 
that open mind as the cannabis industry progresses during the next few months.

The people voted for it; some who don't consume still voted for it 
because of the economic opportunity. Cannabis clubs are a part of that economy.

We shouldn't stifle it before it even gets started.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom