Marijuana Is Officially Legal In Alaska

Huffington Post – by Matt Ferner

Marijuana is now legal for adults in Alaska.

Alaska on Tuesday becomes the third U.S. state to end prohibition of marijuana, officially putting into effect Ballot Measure 2, approved by 53 percent of state voters in November.

Alaskans age 21 and older may now legally possess up to one ounce of marijuana, grow as many as six marijuana plants in their homes (with no more than three flowering), and possess any additional marijuana produced by those plants.  

Shops selling legal recreational marijuana aren’t likely to open until 2016, after the state legislature establishes a regulatory framework. State lawmakers have begun introducing legislation to that end.

“State laws allowing adults to use marijuana are becoming less and less of a novelty,” said Mason Tvert, communications director for drug policy reform group Marijuana Policy Project. “It won’t be long before it’s the rule instead of the exception nationwide. Colorado and Washington are proving that regulating marijuana works, and soon Alaska will, too.”

The Marijuana Policy Project, a backer of the Alaska ballot measure, is launching a public education campaign reminding marijuana users to “consume responsibly,” with ads that read: “With great marijuana laws comes great responsibility.”

“Most adults use marijuana for the same reasons most adults use alcohol,” Tvert said. “We want them to keep in mind that it carries the same responsibilities.”

Voters in Alaska, Oregon and Washington, D.C., passed similar marijuana laws last year, joining Colorado and Washington state, which legalized recreational marijuana in 2012 and opened retail shops in 2014.

Oregon’s law is scheduled to go into effect later this year. D.C.’s law, which prohibits retail sales, is expected to take effect later this week, when a congressional review period expires.

Marijuana remains illegal under federal law and states that have proceeded with legalization have been able to do so because of Department of Justice guidance that urges federal prosecutors to refrain from targeting state-legal marijuana operations.

Despite the conflicted federal stance, legal marijuana is the fastest-growing industry in the U.S., according to a recent report from industry analyst ArcView Group. At least 10 more states are considering legalizing marijuana by 2016. By 2020, there could beas many as 18 states where recreational marijuana is legal.

When regulated marijuana sales begin next year in Alaska, the industry is likely to generate millions in tax revenue. According to a recent study, as much as $8 million in marijuana taxes could flow into state coffers in the first year of sales, with more than $20 million projected by 2020.

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