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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.