Dec. 9, Tim Hinterberger, the Chairman for the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol in Alaska, sent an email out to the campaign's constituents informing them of a proposal by Anchorage Assembly member Amy Demboski to ban licensed marijuana businesses in Anchorage.
Nov. 4, voters in Alaska approved Ballot Measure 2, which legalizes the sale and use of recreational marijuana by adults, age 21 and older, and establishes a regulatory framework for the cultivation, sale and distribution of marijuana, to be overseen by the Alaska Alcoholic Beverage Control Board. Alaskan cities, however, are able to ban marijuana businesses within their borders.
As Hinterberger wrote: "Next Tuesday, December 16, the Assembly will hold a hearing – and possibly a vote – on her proposal. Please email your Assembly members and let them know you oppose a ban."
He also encouraged people to attend the meeting "to show your support for allowing licensed and regulated cultivation centers and retail stores in Anchorage."
The details for the hearing:
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
6 p.m.
Loussac Public Library
Assembly Chambers, Room 108
3600 Denali Street
Anchorage, AK 99503
Hinterberger's email also noted, "If you plan on testifying, please note that comments are limited to three minutes. Click here for details on the public hearing rules."
He included suggested talking points to help those who want to testify:
- This proposal is premature; state regulators haven’t begun developing rules and the first licenses won’t be issued for a year.
- Anchorage should instead consider reasonable local regulations, such as limiting the number of stores, hours of operation, and their locations.
- Keeping marijuana sales underground enriches criminals and makes it impossible to control where, to whom, and when marijuana is sold.
- Legal marijuana businesses create local jobs and generate tax revenue.
"Please sign up on Facebook if you are attending, and remember to be polite and concise," he wrote. And, he encourages people to share this message to help gain support for opposing the ban and get others to testify against it.
