Fairbanks - One of Alaska's top prosecutors said the state will continue to prosecute people for possessing and selling marijuana for the time being, despite a pending voter-approved law to legalize small amounts of pot.
"We are not blind or oblivious to the fact that there is a change coming, but the change is not here yet," said John Skidmore, director of the criminal division for the Alaska Department of Law.
"We did communicate to our folks that right now it is business as usual," he said. "We are evaluating what to do in the future."
The law is changing after voters approved a ballot measure this month allowing people to possess, transport, sell and grow certain amounts of marijuana. But the manner in which marijuana activities will be allowed to take place has yet to be determined. The new law takes effect sometime next year.
Incoming Gov. Bill Walker, who opposed the ballot measure, said he plans to find out how other states have rolled out more permissive marijuana laws.
"I will follow the wish of the voters on that, and so we'll have an implementation plan," Walker said. "We will certainly reach out to the states of Washington and Colorado to discuss with them their implementation plan, what worked for them, what was more challenging and try to learn from their experience."
Skidmore said there are many unanswered questions about how the new law will work.
For example, current law doles out a stricter punishment for people caught selling marijuana within 500 feet of a school.
When the government starts issuing permits allowing the sale of marijuana, will it be allowed to happen near schools? What about parks?
Marijuana use in public will continue to be illegal, but what about privately owned businesses that cater to the public?
"Those are conversations that have to be had," Skidmore said. "The Legislature this coming session has a lot of issues they need to look at and examine."
Law enforcement officers continue to cite people for misconduct involving a controlled substance in the sixth degree for possessing small amounts of marijuana.
An Anchorage man was cited by Alaska State Troopers for possessing less than an ounce of marijuana Saturday during a traffic stop near Cantwell. The marijuana was confiscated.
"Technically, it's still against the law," troopers spokeswoman Megan Peters said. "We have to enforce the law."
Lt. Matt Soden, of the Fairbanks Police Department, said Fairbanks officers will continue to cite people for breaking the law with marijuana unless they are told something different by the District Attorney.
"There are consequences still for using marijuana outside of the home," Soden said.
Contact staff writer Amanda Bohman at 459-7587. Staff writer Casey Grove contributed to this report.
News Moderator: Shandar @ 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: Fairbanks Daily News-Miner: The voice of Interior Alaska since 1903
Author: Amanda Bowman
Contact: Contact Us - Fairbanks Daily News-Miner: Site
Website: Alaska marijuana prosecutions to continue until new law goes into effect - Fairbanks Daily News-Miner: Local News
"We are not blind or oblivious to the fact that there is a change coming, but the change is not here yet," said John Skidmore, director of the criminal division for the Alaska Department of Law.
"We did communicate to our folks that right now it is business as usual," he said. "We are evaluating what to do in the future."
The law is changing after voters approved a ballot measure this month allowing people to possess, transport, sell and grow certain amounts of marijuana. But the manner in which marijuana activities will be allowed to take place has yet to be determined. The new law takes effect sometime next year.
Incoming Gov. Bill Walker, who opposed the ballot measure, said he plans to find out how other states have rolled out more permissive marijuana laws.
"I will follow the wish of the voters on that, and so we'll have an implementation plan," Walker said. "We will certainly reach out to the states of Washington and Colorado to discuss with them their implementation plan, what worked for them, what was more challenging and try to learn from their experience."
Skidmore said there are many unanswered questions about how the new law will work.
For example, current law doles out a stricter punishment for people caught selling marijuana within 500 feet of a school.
When the government starts issuing permits allowing the sale of marijuana, will it be allowed to happen near schools? What about parks?
Marijuana use in public will continue to be illegal, but what about privately owned businesses that cater to the public?
"Those are conversations that have to be had," Skidmore said. "The Legislature this coming session has a lot of issues they need to look at and examine."
Law enforcement officers continue to cite people for misconduct involving a controlled substance in the sixth degree for possessing small amounts of marijuana.
An Anchorage man was cited by Alaska State Troopers for possessing less than an ounce of marijuana Saturday during a traffic stop near Cantwell. The marijuana was confiscated.
"Technically, it's still against the law," troopers spokeswoman Megan Peters said. "We have to enforce the law."
Lt. Matt Soden, of the Fairbanks Police Department, said Fairbanks officers will continue to cite people for breaking the law with marijuana unless they are told something different by the District Attorney.
"There are consequences still for using marijuana outside of the home," Soden said.
Contact staff writer Amanda Bohman at 459-7587. Staff writer Casey Grove contributed to this report.
News Moderator: Shandar @ 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: Fairbanks Daily News-Miner: The voice of Interior Alaska since 1903
Author: Amanda Bowman
Contact: Contact Us - Fairbanks Daily News-Miner: Site
Website: Alaska marijuana prosecutions to continue until new law goes into effect - Fairbanks Daily News-Miner: Local News
