The marijuana legalization initiative, Ballot Measure 2, "An act to Tax and Regulate the Production, Sale, and Use of Marijuana," will be on the Nov. 4 general election ballot. This ballot measure centers on a public policy issue that creates interest, emotion and confusion. If passed, Alaska will be the third state to legalize the production, sale and use of marijuana.
What is the initiative really about? The proposed act is lengthy -- eight pages long, consisting of three sections, which would add 17 new statutes and a severability clause to Alaska law. It would make the use of marijuana legal for persons 21 years of age or older. The bill would allow a person to possess, use, buy and grow set amounts of marijuana but would ban public use of marijuana. The bill would make the manufacture, sale and possession of marijuana accessories legal. It would create marijuana establishments including marijuana retail stores, marijuana cultivation facilities, marijuana infused product manufacturers and marijuana testing facilities. The bill would allow localities to ban marijuana establishments but would not prohibit private possession and home cultivation. The bill would require regulations and provide for regulatory oversight, and would establish an excise tax of $50 per ounce on the sale or transfer of marijuana from a cultivation facility to a retail store or marijuana product manufacturing facility.
What might be the effects if Ballot Measure 2 passed? What might be the outcome if the measure fails?
The marijuana legalization initiative is a multifaceted issue. Some questions include:
Alaska Common Ground is hosting a free public forum on the marijuana legalization initiative. The forum will present a balanced panel with experts discussing the pros and cons of the initiative. There will be ample opportunity for the public to ask questions of the experts. Veteran Alaska broadcaster Steve MacDonald will moderate the forum.
Panelists supporting the initiative will be Bill Parker, a sponsor of the initiative, a former legislator and a former deputy commissioner of the Alaska Department of Corrections. He will be joined by Taylor Bickford, a spokesman for the organization "Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol in Alaska."
Panelists opposing the initiative will be Deborah Williams and Kristina Woolston, both with the organization "Big Marijuana. Big Mistake. Vote No on 2."
The forum will be from 7 to 9 p.m.Wednesday at the Wilda Marston Theatre at Loussac Library. It is free and open to the public.
The event is co-sponsored by the Anchorage Public Library, the League of Women Voters of Anchorage, the League of Women Voters of Alaska and Alaska Integrated Media.
Alaska Common Ground is a nonprofit, member-supported organization dedicated to engaging Alaskans in respectful conversations about major public policy issues facing our state. We invite you to join us and learn about the pros and cons of legalizing marijuana in Alaska so you can make an informed decision when you vote in November.
Peg Tileston is a co-founder of Alaska Common Ground and a member of the board.
The views expressed here are the writer's own and are not necessarily endorsed by Alaska Dispatch News, which welcomes a broad range of viewpoints. To submit a piece for consideration, e-mail commentary(at)alaskadispatch.com.