Alaska becomes first U.S. state to approve on-site consumption at pot shops

Emma Spears - thegrowthop.com Posted 5 years ago
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The state of Alaska has approved regulations that permit on-site cannabis consumption at dispensaries, making it the first state to do so. The regulations will take effect on April 11.

 

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The new rules would allow cannabis shops to pay an application fee of USD$1,000 for an on-site endorsement, and USD$600 to apply to renew it, in addition to an annual fee of USD$2,000.

Per the new regulations, which were approved after much deliberation by Alaska’s Marijuana Control Office last December, consumers will be permitted to consume one gram of cannabis or a 10mg worth of edibles each day on dispensary property. Lt. Gov. Kevin Mayer approved the regulations on Tuesday.

Under the new regulations, on-site cannabis consumption must take place in a freestanding building with a separate ventilation system. The building must be accessible through a secure door via the storefront, according to a memo from the Alaska Department of Law.

Cannabis dispensaries will not be permitted to serve customers that appear “intoxicated or drunk,” or to allow them to enter or remain on store property.

Shops are also banned from offering cannabis as a prize, offering “in-house” discounts or “happy hour” promotions, allowing clients to THC concentrates on-site, allowing clients to consume cannabis purchased off-site, allowing clients to consume tobacco, or games that involve cannabis consumption.

Municipalities will be permitted to opt out of on-site consumption, should they choose to do so, and may also ban specific types of cannabis products from being used on-site.

 

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