Pubdate: Tue, 24 Feb 2015
Source: Alaska Dispatch News (AK)
Copyright: 2015 Alaska Dispatch Publishing
Contact:  http://www.adn.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/18
Note: Anchorage Daily News until July '14
Author: Suzanna Caldwell

Iditarod Notebook

MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION LOOMS, BUT NO CHANGES FOR IDITAROD RACERS

On Feb. 24, recreational marijuana will be legal in Alaska, but don't 
expect to see any mushers using along the Iditarod Trail -- at least 
if they want to stay in the race.

"(It's a) non-issue," Race Marshall Mark Nordman wrote in an email to 
Alaska Dispatch News Thursday. "(The) rules have not changed."

Marijuana use on the trail remains prohibited for mushers. In 2010 
the race added marijuana to its list of banned substances. The move 
was seen by some as a direct challenge to then three-time champion 
Lance Mackey, a cancer survivor and admitted medical marijuana user. 
Mackey went on to win his fourth consecutive race that year. He has 
never tested positive after a race for the drug.

Related: For Lance Mackey, 14th place means his 'best, funnest Quest'

In the years since the rule has been enacted, only one musher has 
been sanctioned. Musher Matt Giblin was disqualified following a 
positive drug test for THC in the 2012 race. He returned the next 
year to record his best finish in four Iditarod starts, 39th place.

According to race rules, other substances are also banned along the 
race course, including alcohol. Mushers could be subject to 
breathalyzer tests and can be sanctioned for blowing over a 0.04, 
lower than the legal driving limit of 0.08.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom