Pubdate: Tue, 24 Mar 2015
Source: Alaska Dispatch News (AK)
Copyright: 2015 Associated Press
Contact:  http://www.adn.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/18
Note: Anchorage Daily News until July '14
Author: Molly Dischner, Associated Press

ALASKA SENATE PANEL ADVANCES BILL REGARDING POT CRIMES

JUNEAU (AP) - A Senate committee advanced legislation Monday that 
would update state laws related to marijuana crimes.

The Senate Finance Committee moved the bill after adopting a new version.

SB 30 would update state crimes now that certain recreational use and 
possession of marijuana is legal for adults 21 and older. It sets out 
the crimes for possession of larger amounts of marijuana, allows 
emergency responders under 21 to enter marijuana businesses, and 
prohibits delivery or transportation of marijuana for sale or barter.

It also would prohibit a commercial or retail marijuana industry in 
the state's unorganized borough outside of municipalities, although 
it allows established villages to opt back in.

The most contentious of the amendments the committee discussed 
earlier in the month, which would have banned marijuana concentrates 
beginning in 2017, was not included in the version of the bill the 
committee advanced.

Sen. Pete Kelly, R-Fairbanks, proposed that ban. He said he would 
support moving the newest version of the bill without the ban, but he 
wanted to see it put back in the measure later in the process.

The committee also added language that Sen. Lyman Hoffman, D-Bethel, 
said was meant to help justify the commercial ban in the unorganized 
borough, which he also proposed.

The initiative legalizing recreational pot, approved by voters in 
November, allowed communities to opt-out of a new marijuana industry, 
but Hoffman's amendment flips that for certain rural areas, requiring 
them to opt-in instead. During a previous hearing, a representative 
from the state Department of Law said including the reasoning for 
such a switch could help if it is challenged in court.

Hoffman said he worked with the department and the Legislature's 
research division to put together the information.

The bill now goes to the Senate Rules Committee for scheduling for a floor vote.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom