ANCHORAGE — Cannabis officially became legal for adults in Alaska on Tuesday. Ballot Measure 2, which was approved by 53% of state voters in November, allows adults 21 years of age and older to possess up to one ounce of Cannabis, grow up to six Cannabis plants in their homes, and possess the yield of those plants in the location where it was grown. It will remain illegal to use Cannabis in public.
“Alaska now has some of the most sensible marijuana laws in the nation,” said Dr. Tim Hinterberger, chair of the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol. “Adults who wish to use marijuana will finally be able to do so without fear of being punished. Law enforcement officers will no longer have to spend their limited time and resources arresting adults simply for using a substance that is objectively safer than alcohol. Instead, they can focus on addressing more serious crimes.”
Backers of Ballot Measure 2 will hold a news conference in Anchorage on Tuesday at 10 a.m. AKT to discuss the implementation of the law, as well as the launch of an ad campaign in the state capital that encourages adults who choose to use marijuana to “consume responsibly.” The ads, which will appear on the sides of Anchorage city buses for the next two weeks, read, “With great marijuana laws comes great responsibility.” A large replica of one of the ads will be featured at the event, which will be held in Anchorage at 508 W. 2nd Ave., Suite 100.
The ads are part of the “Consume Responsibly” public education campaign being spearheaded by the Marijuana Policy Project, which assisted the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol in passing the Alaska ballot initiative. The effort was launched in September and has featured highly publicized billboards in Colorado and Washington, as well as print ads, online ads, and materials in retail marijuana businesses.
“Most adults use marijuana for the same reasons most adults use alcohol,” said Mason Tvert, director of communications for the Marijuana Policy Project. “We want them to keep in mind that it carries the same responsibilities. Adults will no longer be punished simply for making the safer choice, as long as they are following the law and doing it responsibly.”
Alaska is the third state in the nation where Cannabis is officially legal for adults. Colorado and Washington enacted similar laws in 2012, and both states have established regulated Cannabis markets for adults. The Alaska Legislature is in the process of establishing a regulated system of Cannabis cultivation and sales. Voters in Oregon and the District of Columbia also adopted laws in November making Cannabis legal for adults. The D.C. law is scheduled to take effect on Thursday, and the law in Oregon is scheduled to take effect this summer.
“We are hopeful that Alaska will establish a regulated system of marijuana production and distribution that can serve as an example for other states,” Dr. Hinterberger said. “Soon, marijuana will be controlled by licensed businesses that must answer to authorities instead of criminals who answer to nobody. Marijuana is a less harmful substance than alcohol, and we’re finally starting to treat it that way.”
