The consumption of recreational marijuana in Alaska will soon be reorganized. Marijuana regulators in the state are planning to consider rules for marijuana consumption at authorized retail pot stores.
As reported by ABC News, the state of Alaska will be considered the first in the nation to allow consumers to smoke pot and consume marijuana products at authorized retail stores. The rules, however, need some ironing out as state regulators take a closer look at the regulations.
According to Alaska Dispatch News, although the marijuana business in Alaska is booming, business owners are still grappling with the state regulations. Marijuana businesses are also making crucial decisions about the kind of companies they want to be and how they will market themselves to their customers in order for them to avoid legal pitfalls.
The chairman of the new Alaska Marijuana Industry Association, Bruce Schulte, and board member Peter Mlynarik have proposed a different set of rules. The rules are conservative in nature and will be set for the approval of the board. The proposal has called for a separation of consumption and non-consumption areas with different details which include a separately secured door. Regulators will also see if they will allow marijuana to be taken out of the retail stores as per Washington Times.
Since February this year, the board has already accepted business applications and the first license will be given out in June. The retail and product manufacturing facility will be allowed to operate in the later part of the year. Governor Bill Walker will be the one to consider if the legislation for national criminal history checks for license applicants will be approved.
However, Cynthia Franklin, the director of the Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office, is concerned about the number of staff that will handle the paperwork. She believes that her staff is not enough to handle the workload if the regulation is to be approved.
