Alaska News

Ketchikan marijuana committee to consider pot tax proposal

KETCHIKAN — Ketchikan's Marijuana Advisory Committee will consider a resident's proposal to support funding for school travel with a marijuana tax.

The committee will meet Monday to discuss the $10-per-ounce excise tax on marijuana brought forward by Ralph Mirsky, according to the Ketchikan Daily News.

Under Mirsky's proposal, marijuana tax revenue in Ketchikan would fund travel for student activities as well as substance abuse education. The proposal would also have state marijuana tax revenue put to similar uses.

"We all want what's best for our children, having them busy and involved in sports and other extracurricular activities is probably one of the healthiest things that they and we can be involved in for their wellbeing," Mirsky wrote in his proposal, adding that the borough could "turn lemons into lemonade."

Voters approved a $50 state excise tax to legalize marijuana in 2014. Marijuana will be sold at retail stores in 2016.

ADVERTISEMENT