Alaska residents with cannabis convictions on their records may get a second chance. On Jan. 31, 2018, Rep. Harriet Drummond introduced HB 316, a bill that would seek to seal public records pertaining to certain cannabis convictions.
Tag Archives: Alaska
Alaska’s Marijuana Tax Revenue Falls Short Two Months in a Row
A new report has confirmed that Alaska’s marijuana tax revenue fell short two months in a row. The dip started in November 2017 and continued downward through December 2017.
Alaska Investigating Inconsistent Results at Marijuana Testing Facilities
On Jan. 2, 2018, the Alaska Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office announced that it had been made aware of several inconsistencies at two marijuana testing facilities in the state. In an announcement released by AMCO, officials outlined two specific examples of inconsistencies found at the testing facilities.
Alaska Reports Dip in Marijuana Tax Revenue in Latest Report
The state of Alaska reported a dip in tax collections from legal marijuana businesses in November.
Public Service Announcement: Marijuana Testing Inconsistencies
ANCHORAGE, AK, Jan. 2, 2018 /Weed Wire/ — The Marijuana Control Board and the Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office (AMCO) and have learned that state-licensed marijuana testing facilities have reported results that appear to be inconsistent and may be inaccurate.
Alaskan Edibles Manufacturer Has License Revoked by State
On Dec. 15, 2017, Frozen Budz, an Alaskan edibles manufacturer, had its manufacturing license revoked by the state Marijuana Control Board, marking the first time that the state control board has had to take such an action.
Taxes on Wholesale Marijuana Frustrate Alaska Growers
With the cannabis supply in Alaska increasing and wholesale prices declining, growers are feeling a pinch from the state’s wholesale tax. Some are calling for reform.
Alaska Marijuana Control Board Revokes Frozen Budz Manufacturing License; Imposes $500,000 Fine
ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Dec. 15, 2017 /Weed Wire/ – The Marijuana Control Board revoked license #10012, the marijuana product manufacturing facility license held by Destiny and Nick Neade, operated as Frozen Budz. In addition, the board imposed a $500,000 civil fine and ordered all the products made by Frozen Budz to be seized, both from their product manufacturing facility and from all retail stores that have their products.
UPDATE – Consumer Alert: Edible Marijuana Products Manufactured by Frozen Budz Are Under Review
ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Dec. 12, 2017 /Weed Wire/ – The Marijuana Control Board is reviewing accusations against Frozen Budz marijuana product manufacturing facility (license #10012). The board is considering whether or not to revoke the marijuana establishment license, which was suspended on December 1, 2017.
Consumer Alert: Edible Products Manufactured by Frozen Budz Have Not Been Tested
ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Dec. 1, 2017 /Weed Wire/ – The Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office enforcement team has discovered that most edible products produced by Frozen Budz manufacturing facility (license #10012) were not tested as required by 3 AAC 306.550 before being transferred to retail marijuana stores and sold to consumers.
5 Things You Didn’t Know About the Alaska Marijuana Economy
In February 2015, Alaska became one of the first states to legalize recreational marijuana with a 53% vote in favor of the drug. Even though cannabis was made legal in the state, it took another year for Alaska to approve cannabis retail stores and manufacturers. Now, since the state has approved full legalization, the industry has grown, affecting Alaska’s economy in a number of ways.
Alaska Cannabis Tax Revenue Tops $700K in September
Alaska’s cannabis tax revenue continued a steady climb upward in September, with $723,757 collected statewide, according to a state official.
Early Numbers Show Alaskan Towns Rejecting Local Marijuana Bans
Three years after Alaska residents voted to legalize recreational marijuana, some Alaskan towns were still mulling whether to ban commercial cultivation and retail sales of the drug.
Alaskan Marijuana Businesses Can Now Apply for ‘Made in Alaska’ Program
Alaskan marijuana businesses can now apply for the state-run “Made in Alaska” program, which is designed to help promote products made and manufactured in the state.
Marijuana Shop Creates Rift in Small Alaska Town
A marijuana store on Main Street is causing a divide in the quirky tourist town of Talkeetna, Alaska. Longstanding tourism operators fear the store will harm their industry, but the pot shop is getting a lot of attention from visitors.
Governors of 2 Pot States Push Back on Trump Administration
Governors in at least two states that have legalized recreational marijuana are pushing back against the Trump administration and defending their efforts to regulate the industry.
Marijuana States Try to Curb Smuggling, Avert US Crackdown
Officials suspect pot grown legally in Oregon and other marijuana states is also being smuggled out, and the trafficking is putting America’s multibillion-dollar marijuana industry at risk.
Alaska Marijuana Control Board Moves Ahead With Onsite Marijuana Consumption
From July 12-14, 2017, the Alaska Marijuana Control Board met to address several agenda items, including onsite marijuana consumption. While the MCB previously tabled the issue this past February, the board voted 3-2 last week to approve the creation of regulations for onsite marijuana consumption at recreational marijuana stores.
Alaska Dispensaries Shocked to See Facebook Shutting Down Business Pages
Is Facebook taking a stand against Alaska dispensaries? Some dispensary owners in the state of Alaska think that might be the case.
Assembly Wants Alaska Marijuana Control Board to Allow Onsite Consumption
On July 11, 2017, members of the Anchorage Assembly voted and approved a resolution to ask the Alaska Marijuana Control Board to support onsite consumption for locals and visiting tourists.
Alaska’s Marijuana Industry Tax Revenue Reaches $1Million
Alaska’s marijuana industry has brought in more than $1 million in tax revenue since commercial sales began in October.
Standards Council: Cops Cannot Participate in Alaskan Marijuana Industry
On May 18, 2017, the Alaska Police Standards Council announced that state and local law enforcement officers are not allowed to participate in the Alaskan marijuana industry, stating that it is “incompatible with the law enforcement profession.”
Alaska Police Standards Council (APSC) Addresses Possession, Distribution, and Cultivation of Marijuana by Officers
JUNEAU, Alaska, May 18, 2017 /Weed Wire/ – In February of 2015, following the legalization of recreational marijuana in Alaska, the Alaska Police Standards Council (APSC) examined the applicable state regulations prohibiting certified police, correction, probation/parole, and municipal corrections officers from using or consuming marijuana and determined by a unanimous vote that the regulations should and would remain unchanged.
Colorado Ends Plans for Pot Clubs Over Trump Uncertainty
Colorado lawmakers on Thursday backed off plans to become the first U.S. state to regulate marijuana clubs, saying approval of Amsterdam-style pot clubs could invite a federal crackdown.
Young Co-Authors Letter Urging “Respect for Medical Marijuana Laws” Language in Upcoming Spending Bill
WASHINGTON, April 12, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — Alaska Congressman Don Young recently co-authored a bipartisan letter to the Chair and Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice and Science, requesting the inclusion of language in the Fiscal Year 2018 spending bill that would bar the Department of Justice from using resources to prosecute individuals who are acting in compliance with their state’s medical marijuana laws.
Governors From 4 Marijuana States Ask to be Left Alone
Governors from the first four states to legalize recreational marijuana are asking the Trump administration to let the pot experiments continue.
Governors Urge Trump to Respect State Marijuana Laws
WASHINGTON, April 3, 2017 /Weed Wire/ – Today, the governors of the first four states to have regulated cannabis sales for all adults sent a letter to Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, urging the Trump Administration to maintain existing policies related to the enforcement of federal marijuana laws.
Alaska Sees Slight Increase in Marijuana Tax Revenue for February
According to a recently released report from the Alaska Department of Revenue, the state banked $128,000 in marijuana tax revenue for the month of February, marking a slight increase from the $107,500 collected in January.
Alaska’s Marijuana Tax Revenue Dipped in January
Tax revenue for Alaska’s legal marijuana industry dipped in the month of January. With retailers selling approximately 111 pounds of marijuana flower and another 77 pounds of marijuana plant material during the first month of 2017, the state took in $107,500 in marijuana taxes for January, which is $38,300 less than December’s high of $145,800.
Alaska Hires New Director of Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office
On Feb. 21, 2017, Erika McConnell was appointed as the new director of Alaska’s Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office. The position had been vacant since Cynthia Franklin resigned from the position at the beginning of 2017 to become the assistant attorney general in the state’s Consumer Protection Unit.
Erika McConnell Appointed to Lead the Alaska Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office
ANCHORAGE, Feb. 21, 2017 /Weed Wire/ – The Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office (AMCO) is pleased to announce Erika McConnell has been appointed as its new director.
Marijuana Control Board Rules in CBD Oil Violations
ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Feb. 17, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — In a unanimous vote, the Marijuana Control Board determined the CBD (cannabidiol) oil seized last week by the Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office (AMCO) to be marijuana product, except that which is labeled as made exclusively from seeds and that does not also include the term “CBD.
Authorities in Alaska Seize CBD Products Across the State
On Feb. 9, 2017, the Alaska Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office announced that officers had seized products containing CBD from several marijuana retailers across the state.
Marijuana Enforcement Acts on Retail Violations
ANCHORAGE, Feb. 9, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — Today, enforcement officers of the Alcohol and Marijuana Enforcement Office seized items from several retail stores across the state containing CBD (cannabidiol) oil that appear to be offered for sale in violation of several provisions of AS 17.38, including requirements for testing, packaging, and labeling.
Marijuana Control Board Issues Statement Regarding Onsite Consumption of Marijuana
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA, Feb. 10, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — This release is a clarification of onsite consumption of marijuana products per the Marijuana Control Board’s meeting February 2.
Sapphire Risk Advisory Group Selected as the Security Consultant for the Florida Cannabis Coalition
TAMPA, Fla., Feb. 7, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — Sapphire Risk Advisory Group has been selected as the security consultant for the Florida Cannabis Coalition. Florida is one of the newer States to legalize Medical Marijuana joins over 28 other States in this growing industry.
Alaska Marijuana Control Board Tables Proposed Social-Use Rule
On Feb 2., 2017, the Alaska Marijuana Control Board voted 3-2 to table a proposed rule that would permit local governments to allow the on-site use of recreational marijuana at licensed dispensaries.
Freeze in Fairbanks: Marijuana Demand Outpaces Supply
Fairbanks, Alaska, welcomed its first two dispensaries on Oct. 31, 2016, and a third on Dec. 11, but demand for legal marijuana has outpaced supply, forcing all three of the city’s dispensaries to close temporarily.
Alaska Welcomes the Arctic Herbery in Anchorage
On Dec. 15, 2016, the Arctic Herbery opened its doors to recreational cannabis customers in Anchorage, Alaska.
Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office Begins Search for New Director
ANCHORAGE, Dec. 08, 2016 /Weed Wire/ — Cynthia Franklin, director of the Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office (AMCO), announced this week that she is moving to a position with the Alaska Department of Law.
Head of AK’s Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office to Step Down
Franklin announced her resignation to members of the Alcohol and Marijuana control boards on Wednesday afternoon, in an email forwarded to Alaska Dispatch News.
Alaska Collecting Initial Cannabis Tax Payments
In Anchorage, Alaska, the Alaska Department of Revenue’s Tax Division has started to receive its first batch of cash tax payments on legal cannabis sales and transfers.
Alaska Welcomes First Recreational Dispensary on Kenai Peninsula
On Nov. 21, 2016, Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula welcomed its first recreational cannabis dispensary, Red Run Cannabis Company, with a crowd of customers lined up throughout the dispensary’s parking lot.
Next Milestone for Alaska’s Young Pot Industry: Paying Taxes
With legal marijuana sales underway in Alaska, growers will soon be submitting their first tax payments to the state.
Merry Cannabis: Santa Claus Supports Legalization
In the city of North Pole, Alaska, an unlikely ally for marijuana legalization has emerged: Santa Claus. According to KTUU, the jolly old saint has been speaking out against Proposition 7, a local ballot initiative passed in October that banned the commercial sale of marijuana in the city.
Green Light in the Golden Heart City: Dispensaries Open in Fairbanks
On Oct. 31, 2016, Alaska welcomed the opening of two more dispensaries, with Frozen Budz and Pakalolo Supply Company both opening up shop in Fairbanks.
North to the Future: Alaska Opens First Recreational Dispensary
After nearly two long years of waiting, Alaska’s first recreational marijuana dispensary opened on Oct. 29, 2016. Opening at noon in Valdez, Herbal Outfitters was met with long lines from anxious customers ready to purchase marijuana legally for the first time.
Alaska Welcomes First Marijuana Testing Lab
On Oct. 24, 2016, Alaska’s first marijuana testing lab opened for business. CannTest LLC, in Ship Creek, opened its doors at 10:30 a.m. and was immediately met with 15 samples to test from two marijuana cultivators — Greatland Ganja and Green Rush Gardens LLC.
Apology After Anchorage School Advocates Against Marijuana Shops
The principal of Campbell Elementary School sent out an automated phone message this morning apologizing after a partisan message was sent out the night before by an unnamed staff member.
So Far, So Good: What We Know About Marijuana Legalization in Colorado, Washington, Alaska, Oregon, and Washington D.C.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 13, 2016 /Weed Wire/ — A new report by the Drug Policy Alliance brings good news for the states considering legalization at the ballot on November 8, 2016, and the broader marijuana legalization movement.