Good news! AK. okays recreational weed!

[tod evans]

Alaska allows recreational marijuana as campaign spreads

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/02/24/us-usa-alaska-marijuana-idUSKBN0LS0ZH20150224

Smoking, growing and owning small amounts of marijuana became legal in Alaska on Tuesday, as a growing decriminalization movement reached the United States' wild northwest frontier.

The Republican-leaning state, which narrowly passed the measure in November, followed Colorado and Washington states in allowing recreational use, reflecting a rapidly shifting legal landscape for the drug, which remains illegal under federal law.

Anyone aged 21 or older can now possess up to an ounce of marijuana in Alaska and can grow up to six marijuana plants, three of which can be flowering.

Smoking in public and buying and selling the drug remains illegal -- though private exchanges are allowed if money is not involved.

President Barack Obama's Justice Department has cautiously allowed the experiments to proceed, saying it would look to prosecute a narrower range of marijuana-related crimes, such as sales to children.

But that could change if a more conservative president is elected in 2016, when Alaska's first pot shops are likely to open.

Supporters of the measure say it reflects a sense of personal freedom that resonates with residents in Alaska, a state with a libertarian streak. They also argue that legal sales will generate income and jobs.

"Alaska now has some of the most sensible marijuana laws in the nation," said Dr. Tim Hinterberger, chair of the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol in a statement.

Alaskan officials, and the state's alcohol regulatory board, which is set to meet on Tuesday, still have to fill a number of gaps in the legislation -- for example a definition of the public places where people can not light up.

State regulators are still drafting rules covering the taxation and sale of marijuana, which must be adopted by Nov. 24. Applications for the first business licenses will not be accepted until February 2016.

Police have released regular updates on how they will enforce the law.

"Ultimately the concern of the police department is the safety and health of our public," Anchorage police spokeswoman Jennifer Castro said.

"We want to make sure that people are not operating their vehicle impaired or under the influence of marijuana."

In November, voters in Oregon approved a similar measure, though the drug only becomes legal in July, and a ballot initiative legalizing marijuana possession but not retail sales was overwhelmingly approved in Washington D.C.

[pcosmar]

That's three.

A good start.

[DamianTV]

I dont think people should ever ask permission for what to do recreationally. Weed, downhill skiing, driving, diving, anything. The moment we have to get a license for something recreationally is the moment this country is truly lost. Oh wait, that was a hundred years ago and they still havent learned.

[Thor]

Isn't someone giving away 10 acres in Alaska in another thread? LOL.

[CaptUSA]

Smoking in public and buying and selling the drug remains illegal -- though private exchanges are allowed if money is not involved.
Weird. What constitutes "money" in their estimation? And aren't "private" exchanges by definition always "allowed"?

I guess this industry has to operate on the barter system for awhile - a medium of exchange would never work. :rolleyes:

[Dary]

...buying and selling the drug remains illegal...

"Alaska now has some of the most sensible marijuana laws in the nation,"...:confused:

[Dary]

Weird. What constitutes "money" in their estimation? And aren't "private" exchanges by definition always "allowed"?

I guess this industry has to operate on the barter system for awhile - a medium of exchange would never work. :rolleyes:

They could get one of those arcade token machines I guess... or maybe something like casino chips. /sarcasm

[Dianne]

That's great news !!

[tod evans]

Weird. What constitutes "money" in their estimation? And aren't "private" exchanges by definition always "allowed"?

I guess this industry has to operate on the barter system for awhile - a medium of exchange would never work. :rolleyes:

Personally I'd much rather see ALL interpersonal exchanges take place in some medium other than taxable currency....

2# of grade A beef or a lobster for a 1/4oz bud, no need for government involvement...

[oyarde]

Looks like a good place for bitcoin , since it is not money .

[oyarde]

Personally I'd much rather see ALL interpersonal exchanges take place in some medium other than taxable currency....

2# of grade A beef or a lobster for a 1/4oz bud, no need for government involvement...
Sounds good to me .

[CaptUSA]

Sounds good to me .Yeah, unless what you really need is a pair of shoes... Then you're running around town bare-footed looking for someone with extra shoes in your size that is willing to trade for quickly spoiling seafood or steak. That's the whole reason we started using an exchange medium in the first place.

[Slave Mentality]

Yeah, unless what you really need is a pair of shoes... Then you're running around town bare-footed looking for someone with extra shoes in your size that is willing to trade for quickly spoiling seafood or steak. That's the whole reason we started using an exchange medium in the first place.

Nope you just need to trade all your extra lobster and steak for weed before it rots. Barter happens a lot more than you would think.

[Cabal]

I like Alaska even more now. Now Alaska has cannabis and the aurora borealis.

[Suzanimal]

Isn't someone giving away 10 acres in Alaska in another thread? LOL.

Yep!:)

Naked and Afraid isn't sounding so bad now...

http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?469436-The-Producers-of-Naked-and-Afraid-are-seeking-Families-who-want-to-live-OFF-THE-GRID-in-ALASKA

[Uriel999]

So it is legal to own, but not legal to buy or sell. Soooo......does would trading physical goods for it count. Or could somebody "give it away" legally. Could I legally just "trade" Cannabis for Silver Eagles?

This is just pure academic thought here of course as I really am past those days but it is interesting to think about.

[dannno]

Looks like a good place for bitcoin , since it is not money .

Ya I was thinking the same thing, they should just start selling herb using bitcoin up there.. still wouldn't be able to open up a shop, but a more black market style of exchange would still work and be legal.

[CaptainAmerica]

FYI , if you use weed, get a license/permit to use it or use it in Colorado/Alaska....when your healthcare provider through the affordable healthcare act requires you to answer a question regarding to : Do you currently own a firearm...and you answer yes (while having a medical marijuana permit from your state, or doing it recreationally) you have now been entrapped with a federal crime.

[Uriel999]

Nevermind, just answered it. I need to work on reading comprehension.

"though private exchanges are allowed if money is not involved. Seriously, if I was a dealer up there I would do business using ASE's or maybe bitcoin since those are not considered currency by boobus.

[surf]

these other states (and DC) have done a much better job than what is best described as the bureaucratic clusterfuck in my home state. just for kicks, I've included a link to the only recreational store within about 10 miles of the Microsoft campus. the descriptions are all well written (and researched i'm sure), but the prices are still quit unreasonable (even though they have come down significantly)
https://weedmaps.com/dispensaries/the-novel-tree
well done.

[Uriel999]

FYI , if you use weed, get a license/permit to use it or use it in Colorado/Alaska....when your healthcare provider through the affordable healthcare act requires you to answer a question regarding to : Do you currently own a firearm...and you answer yes (while having a medical marijuana permit from your state, or doing it recreationally) you have now been entrapped with a federal crime.

Which is something I keep reminding Marines that keep telling me when they get out they are going to smoke in one of those "legal" states and they are also gun owners. I want people to enjoy partaking in cannabis if they feel so inclined, BUT I try to make sure those people know they'd be committing a felony if they own guns.

[dannno]

FYI , if you use weed, get a license/permit to use it or use it in Colorado/Alaska....when your healthcare provider through the affordable healthcare act requires you to answer a question regarding to : Do you currently own a firearm...and you answer yes (while having a medical marijuana permit from your state, or doing it recreationally) you have now been entrapped with a federal crime.

So are you saying to avoid the cannabis or affordable healthcare act? I think people would be healthier and better off avoiding the affordable healthcare act.

[CaptainAmerica]

So are you saying to avoid the cannabis or affordable healthcare act? I think people would be healthier and better off avoiding the affordable healthcare act.

Im telling you to be smart about keeping your guns legally for the time being, because someday they will be needed.

[Origanalist]

Yeah, unless what you really need is a pair of shoes... Then you're running around town bare-footed looking for someone with extra shoes in your size that is willing to trade for quickly spoiling seafood or steak. That's the whole reason we started using an exchange medium in the first place.

Was that a serious post?

[Origanalist]

In other news....
Jamaica legalises marijuana http://thenewsnigeria.com.ng/2015/02/25/breaking-jamaica-legalises-marijuana/

[P3ter_Griffin]

6 is better than none no doubt, but how far would've Mendel gotten if he was allowed only 6 pea plants? Optimistically though, I would think the path from 6 to unlimited will be easier than from 0 to 6.

[oyarde]

Yeah, unless what you really need is a pair of shoes... Then you're running around town bare-footed looking for someone with extra shoes in your size that is willing to trade for quickly spoiling seafood or steak. That's the whole reason we started using an exchange medium in the first place.

My wife can make my shoes .

[oyarde]

Was that a serious post?

I think the Cap'n is pulling my leg , food spoiling in Alaska , not often :)

[2young2vote]

6 is better than none no doubt, but how far would've Mendel gotten if he was allowed only 6 pea plants? Optimistically though, I would think the path from 6 to unlimited will be easier than from 0 to 6.

In reality nobody is going to follow that rule, or the oz limit rule, if they don't want to.

[DamianTV]

When the Law and Morality are in direct contradiction with each other, a man faces the difficult decision of losing his respect for the Law, or losing his sense of respect for himself.

How many people have lost their respect for the Law as a result of the continued War on Drugs?

[P3ter_Griffin]

In reality nobody is going to follow that rule, or the oz limit rule, if they don't want to.

No doubt, but that basically means for those individuals nothing has changed.