If you’re traveling to Alaska and plan on consuming cannabis, there are a few things you need to know. These include legality, taxes, regulations, and possession information.
The state of Alaska decriminalized the consumption of marijuana for the first time in 1975. In the same year, the state supreme court ruled that adults have the right to possess small amounts of marijuana for personal use.
Legality
Whether you’re a local, an out-of-state visitor, or a tourist with a medical marijuana card, it’s important to know the legality of cannabis in Alaska. With a number of laws in place, there are some restrictions on how you can use cannabis and what you can do with it.
Marijuana is legal in the state of Alaska for both medical and recreational use. Residents aged 21 and older can grow up to six plants at home, and they can purchase one ounce of flower or seven grams of concentrate from retail marijuana stores.
However, you’ll need a license from the Marijuana Control Board (MCB) in order to sell or grow cannabis. Cultivators, processors and dispensaries must pay a non-refundable application fee as well as an annual licensing fee.
Taxes
Unlike many other states, Alaska does not have a statewide tax on recreational marijuana. Instead, local governments have the power to impose fees and taxes on marijuana purchases.
Marijuana tax revenue in Alaska is divided between the general fund, programs aimed at reducing repeat criminal offences, and substance abuse prevention programs. The money is also used to pay for administrative costs associated with legalization.
The tax rate for cannabis is weight-based, meaning the amount you pay is based on the weight of your purchase at the time you buy it. In addition, the state levies a potency-based tax, modeled after liquor, for different types of marijuana.
Maine is one of only three states that collect taxes on potency rather than weight. It dedicates the revenue to programs related to drug use and alcoholism, as well as to law enforcement training.
Regulations
Both medical and adult-use cannabis is legal in Alaska. It became the third state to do so after voters approved Measure 2 in 2014.
A medical defense is available for possession of up to one ounce and cultivation of up to six plants at home. But the state is not allowing dispensaries to sell or cultivate marijuana.
The state makes millions of dollars from cannabis taxes. Its tax revenue grew from $10.8 million in fiscal year 2018 to $24.2 million in FY 2020.
Possession of 25 or more plants is a Class C felony. It can result in a fine of up to $50,000 and five years in prison.
It’s also illegal to bring marijuana on board a cruise ship. If it’s discovered, a drug recognition officer will be dispatched to conduct further investigation.
Possession
The possession of marijuana is legal in Alaska. The state decriminalized cannabis in 1975 and made it legal for adults to possess small amounts of pot at home.
There are a number of factors to consider before buying or consuming marajuana in the state. Among them is the fact that possession of more than one ounce is considered a crime, and it can lead to a fine or jail time.
Another factor to consider is the risk of forfeiting your assets if you are caught trafficking in marijuana. This is because in addition to the criminal penalty, you will also have to face a civil seizure of your assets if the police believe that you are using your property to finance the sale of illegal drugs.
In an effort to help Alaskans with this, the House passed a bill Wednesday that would erase past records of simple cannabis charges from a public online database. It also would change the charge for 18-20-year-olds from a misdemeanor to a violation, more like a speeding ticket.
