As Alaska continues to work out regulations surrounding the implementation of Measure 2–which legalized marijuana and the establishment of a regulated (taxable) commercial cannabis business–there have been challenges and victories. Today, proponents are celebrating one such victory from yesterday's Senate committee hearing.
Tim HinterbergerTim Hinterberger
"In a decisive 14-6 decision on Monday, senators voted down an ill-advised amendment that would have banned extracts, edibles, and concentrates in 2017," wrote Tim Hinterberger, Chairman of the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol in Alaska, in an email letter to supporters of the campaign.
"Without licensed and regulated businesses producing marijuana extracts and edibles, the criminal market would continue to thrive," Hinterberger added. "Without tested and clearly packaged concentrates, patients would suffer. Senators finally got the message. Your respectful and articulate comments changed minds."
Hinterberger noted that during yesterday’s debate, "opponents continued to insist that voters did not know what they were voting for in November–despite the fact that they received overwhelming testimony to the contrary during committee hearings."
This is a great victory for advocates, but as Hinterberger notes, the work is not over:Â "SB 30 now heads to the Alaska House of Representatives, where it will undergo another series of committee hearings."
Marijuana officially became legal in Alaska in February, however regulations continue to be developed as opponents and supporters debate best practices for various aspects of legalization and the surrounding legalized marijuana marketplace. Hinterberger encourages supporters to share his letter with friends and family in Alaska so they can lend their support as it is needed throughout the ongoing efforts to implement Alaska's legalization legislation.
