{"id":123,"date":"2024-11-10T15:55:19","date_gmt":"2024-11-10T15:55:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/anchorage420online.com\/?p=123"},"modified":"2024-11-10T15:55:19","modified_gmt":"2024-11-10T15:55:19","slug":"what-is-marijuana-or-cannabis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/anchorage420online.com\/index.php\/2024\/11\/10\/what-is-marijuana-or-cannabis\/","title":{"rendered":"What is Marijuana or Cannabis?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cannabis in Alaska<\/b>\u00a0is legal for\u00a0recreational use<\/a>\u00a0since 2014. It was first legalized by the court ruling\u00a0Ravin v. State<\/a><\/i>\u00a0in 1975, but later recriminalized by\u00a0Measure 2 in 1990<\/a>. Ballot measures in 2000 and 2004 attempted (but failed) to legalize recreational use, until finally\u00a0Measure 2 in 2014<\/a>\u00a0passed with 53.2% of the vote.\u00a0Medical use<\/a>\u00a0was legalized by way of Measure 8 in 1998.[<\/span>1]<\/span><\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n

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History<\/h2>\n

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<\/span>Decriminalization (1975)<\/h3>\n

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On May 16, 1975, Alaska became the second state in the U.S. to decriminalize cannabis. The law imposed a $100 fine (equivalent to $570 in 2023) for persons possessing cannabis, and became law without the governor’s signature. It passed just a week before the Ravin ruling.[<\/span>2]<\/span><\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n

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<\/span>Ravin v. State<\/i>\u00a0(1975)<\/h3>\n

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Ravin v. State<\/a><\/i>\u00a0was a 1975 decision by the\u00a0Alaska Supreme Court<\/a>\u00a0that held the\u00a0Alaska Constitution<\/a>‘s\u00a0right to privacy<\/a>\u00a0protects an adult’s ability to use and possess a small amount of marijuana in the home for personal use.[<\/span>3]<\/span><\/a><\/sup>\u00a0The Alaska Supreme Court thereby became the first\u00a0\u2013 and only\u00a0\u2013 U.S. state or federal court to announce a constitutional right to privacy that protects some level of marijuana use and possession.[<\/span>3]<\/span><\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n

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<\/span>Decriminalization (1982)<\/h3>\n

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In 1982, following the Ravin decision, the state legislature decriminalized possession of up to four ounces (110\u00a0g) of cannabis in the home, or one ounce (28\u00a0g) outside the home.[<\/span>4]<\/span><\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n

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<\/span>Recriminalization (1990)<\/h3>\n

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<\/a>
Cured, trimmed Alaska-grown cannabis flower<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In 1990,\u00a0Measure 2<\/a>\u00a0to recriminalize cannabis passed with 54.3% of the vote. The measure imposed a penalty of up to 90 days in jail and a fine of up to $1000 for simple possession.[<\/span>5]<\/span><\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n

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<\/span>Medical legalization (1998)<\/h3>\n

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In 1998, Measure 8 to legalize the medical use of cannabis passed with 58.7% of the vote.[<\/span>6]<\/span><\/a><\/sup>\u00a0The measure allowed patients with a doctor’s recommendation to possess up to one ounce (28\u00a0g) of cannabis or grow six plants.[<\/span>1]<\/span><\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n

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<\/span>Failed recreational legalization (2000)<\/h3>\n

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In 2000, Measure 5 to legalize the recreational use of cannabis failed with 40.9% of the vote.[<\/span>7]<\/span><\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n

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<\/span>Recriminalization struck down (2003)<\/h3>\n

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Noy v. State<\/a><\/i>\u00a0is a case decided by the\u00a0Alaska Court of Appeals<\/a>\u00a0in 2003. David S. Noy was convicted of possessing less than eight ounces (230\u00a0g) of marijuana by a jury. However, in 1975, the Alaska Supreme Court had ruled in\u00a0Ravin v. State<\/a><\/i>\u00a0that possessing less than four ounces (110\u00a0g) of marijuana in one’s home is protected by the\u00a0Alaska Constitution<\/a>‘s privacy clause. The amount possessed being over four ounces was highly in question on appeal. Thus, the Court of Appeals overturned Noy’s conviction and struck down the part of the law that criminalized possession of less than four ounces of marijuana.[<\/span>8]<\/span><\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n

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U.S. Representative from Alaska\u00a0Don Young<\/a>\u00a0tours a cannabis dispensary in October 2019<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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<\/span>Failed recreational legalization (2004)<\/h3>\n

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In 2004, Measure 2 to legalize the recreational use of cannabis failed with 44.3% of the vote.[<\/span>9]<\/span><\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n

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<\/span>Recriminalization (2006)<\/h3>\n

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The state legislature passed a new law making possession of under one ounce (28\u00a0g) a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail. Possession of one\u00a0to four ounces (28\u2013113\u00a0g) was made a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail. Possession of over 4 ounces (110\u00a0g) was made a felony. The measure was pushed by Governor\u00a0Frank Murkowski<\/a>.[<\/span>10]<\/span><\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n

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<\/span>Recreational legalization (2014)<\/h3>\n

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Alaska’s THC Universal Symbol<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In 2014,\u00a0Measure 2<\/a>\u00a0to legalize the recreational use of cannabis passed with 53.2% of the vote.[<\/span>11]<\/span><\/a><\/sup>\u00a0The measure allows adults 21 and over to possess up to one ounce (28\u00a0g) of cannabis and cultivate six plants, effective February 24, 2015.[<\/span>12]<\/span><\/a><\/sup>\u00a0It also allows the sale of cannabis at state-licensed dispensaries, the first of which opened on October 29, 2016.[<\/span>13]<\/span><\/a><\/sup>\u00a0The passage of Measure 2 made Alaska the third state to legalize the recreational use and sale of marijuana, preceded by Colorado and Washington in 2012.<\/p>\n

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Business<\/h2>\n

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Portion of the vendor area at the\u00a0High Times<\/a>\u00a0Alaska Cup cannabis festival and competition outside of\u00a0Wasilla<\/a>\u00a0in 2018<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The state of Alaska collected its first full month of cannabis tax proceeds in November 2016, raising $80,000 for the state. Cannabis buds are taxed at $50\/oz and stems and leaves are taxed at $15\/oz.[<\/span>14]<\/span><\/a><\/sup>\u00a0The state reported fiscal year 2017 marijuana tax revenue of $1,745,767 (cultivators only – not retail).[<\/span>15]<\/span><\/a><\/sup>\u00a0In December 2016 and January 2017, widespread supply shortages were reported, causing many cannabis shops to temporarily cease operations until inventory was restored.[<\/span>16]<\/span><\/a><\/sup>\u00a0In January 2017, Anchorage Assemblyman Forrest Dunbar proposed legislation banning cannabis stores from advertising discounts to active-duty military, who are prohibited by federal policy from consuming cannabis.[<\/span>17]<\/span><\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n

In 2020, the cannabis industry was hit by a decline in tourist traffic. Tourists make up nearly 20% of the state’s wholesale cannabis market during the summer months, according to an interview with Brandon Emmett, chief operating officer of Alaska-based cannabis brand Good Titrations. He also added that it was not disastrous for the owners of the cannabis business, but they felt it.[<\/span>18]<\/span><\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n

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References<\/h2>\n

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  1. ^\u00a0Jump up to:<\/span>a<\/b><\/i><\/sup><\/a>\u00a0b<\/b><\/i><\/sup><\/a><\/span>\u00a0Edge, Megan; Andrews, Laurel (September 28, 2016).\u00a0“Timeline: Notable moments in 40 years of Alaska’s history with marijuana”<\/a>.\u00a0Anchorage Daily News<\/i>. Retrieved\u00a0February 8,<\/span>\u00a02018<\/span>.<\/cite><\/span><\/li>\n
  2. ^<\/a><\/b><\/span>\u00a0Anderson, Patrick (February 27, 1981).\u00a0High In America: The True Story Behind NORML And The Politics Of Marijuana<\/i><\/a>. The Viking Press.\u00a0ISBN<\/a>\u00a0978-0670119905<\/bdi><\/a>.<\/cite><\/span><\/li>\n
  3. ^\u00a0Jump up to:<\/span>a<\/b><\/i><\/sup><\/a>\u00a0b<\/b><\/i><\/sup><\/a><\/span>\u00a0Brandeis 2012<\/a>, p.\u00a0175.<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. ^<\/a><\/b><\/span>\u00a0Matthew Lippman (August 22, 2013).\u00a0Essential Criminal Law<\/i><\/a>. SAGE Publications. pp.\u00a0298\u2013.\u00a0ISBN<\/a>\u00a0978-1-4833-2447-0<\/bdi><\/a>.<\/cite><\/span><\/li>\n
  5. ^<\/a><\/b><\/span>\u00a0“Alaska Marijuana Criminalization Initiative, Measure 2 (1990)”<\/a>.\u00a0Ballotpedia<\/i>. Retrieved\u00a0September 21,<\/span>\u00a02019<\/span>.<\/cite><\/span><\/li>\n
  6. ^<\/a><\/b><\/span>\u00a0“Alaska Medical Marijuana Act, Measure 8 (1998)”<\/a>.\u00a0Ballotpedia<\/i>. Retrieved\u00a0September 21,<\/span>\u00a02019<\/span>.<\/cite><\/span><\/li>\n
  7. ^<\/a><\/b><\/span>\u00a0“Alaska Marijuana Decriminalization Initiative, Measure 5 (2000)”<\/a>.\u00a0Ballotpedia<\/i>. Retrieved\u00a0September 21,<\/span>\u00a02019<\/span>.<\/cite><\/span><\/li>\n
  8. ^<\/a><\/b><\/span>\u00a0“Alaska Court Upholds Privacy Right to Smoke Marijuana in the Home”<\/a>. Cognitiveliberty.org. September 2, 2003. Archived from\u00a0the original<\/a>\u00a0on September 23, 2015. Retrieved\u00a0January 30,<\/span>\u00a02017<\/span>.<\/cite><\/span><\/li>\n
  9. ^<\/a><\/b><\/span>\u00a0“Alaska Legalize Marijuana Initiative, Measure 2 (2004)”<\/a>.\u00a0Ballotpedia<\/i>. Retrieved\u00a0September 21,<\/span>\u00a02019<\/span>.<\/cite><\/span><\/li>\n
  10. ^<\/a><\/b><\/span>\u00a0Volz, Matt (June 6, 2006).\u00a0“ACLU sues state on marijuana law”<\/a>.\u00a0Juneau Empire<\/i>. Archived from\u00a0the original<\/a>\u00a0on February 9, 2018. Retrieved\u00a0February 8,<\/span>\u00a02018<\/span>.<\/cite><\/span><\/li>\n
  11. ^<\/a><\/b><\/span>\u00a0“Alaska Marijuana Legalization, Ballot Measure 2 (2014)”<\/a>.\u00a0Ballotpedia<\/i>. Retrieved\u00a0September 21,<\/span>\u00a02019<\/span>.<\/cite><\/span><\/li>\n
  12. ^<\/a><\/b><\/span>\u00a0“Alaska becomes 3rd state with legal marijuana”<\/a>.\u00a0USA Today<\/i>. Associated Press. February 24, 2015. Retrieved\u00a0April 20,<\/span>\u00a02015<\/span>.<\/cite><\/span><\/li>\n
  13. ^<\/a><\/b><\/span>\u00a0Andrews, Laurel (October 29, 2016).\u00a0“Marijuana milestone: Alaska’s first pot shop opens to the public in Valdez”<\/a>.\u00a0Anchorage Daily News<\/i>. Retrieved\u00a0September 21,<\/span>\u00a02019<\/span>.<\/cite><\/span><\/li>\n
  14. ^<\/a><\/b><\/span>\u00a0Laurel Andrews (January 3, 2017).\u00a0“Alaska collects first full month of marijuana tax revenue”<\/a>. Alaskan Dispatch.<\/cite><\/span><\/li>\n
  15. ^<\/a><\/b><\/span>\u00a0Revenue, Alaska Department of.\u00a0“Alaska Department of Revenue – Tax Division”<\/a>.\u00a0tax.alaska.gov<\/i>. Archived from\u00a0the original<\/a>\u00a0on October 28, 2017. Retrieved\u00a0October 27,<\/span>\u00a02017<\/span>.<\/cite><\/span><\/li>\n
  16. ^<\/a><\/b><\/span>\u00a0Laurel Andrews (January 4, 2017).\u00a0“Legal weed is hard to come by in Alaska”<\/a>. Alaskan Dispatch.<\/cite><\/span><\/li>\n
  17. ^<\/a><\/b><\/span>\u00a0“Alaska Politician Proposes Ban On Marijuana Discounts For Active Military | Weed News”<\/a>. Weednews.co. January 25, 2017. Archived from\u00a0the original<\/a>\u00a0on January 25, 2017. Retrieved\u00a0January 30,<\/span>\u00a02017<\/span>.<\/cite><\/span><\/li>\n
  18. ^<\/a><\/b><\/span>\u00a0Lana Braslavskaia (August 6, 2021).\u00a0“Alaska Cannabis Industry Research”<\/a>. AskGrowers.<\/cite><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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    Bibliography<\/h2>\n

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