Alaska: first US state to allow cannabis consumption in dispensaries

Seen from France, a country which legalizes marijuana state by state and prevents patients from consuming on the premises may seem bizarre to us. But this is the case in the United States.

Consumption is prohibited in dispensaries, even in states where recreational cannabis is legal. Alaska, however, is about to change all that.

The state has just allowed its citizens to consume cannabis on the premises, and only in certain establishments that do not yet exist. However, this is a first among 4 states that have fully legalized cannabis.

The vote, which saw 3 votes in favor and 2 against, also changed the definition of the term «in public». Visit Colorado, l’Washington State and the’Oregon have also legalized cannabis, but prohibit public use, including in cannabis dispensaries.

«This puts Alaska at the forefront of this advance,» said Chris Lindsey, legal analyst for the Marijuana Policy Project.

Consumption at the point of purchase has always been a topic of debate in Alaska, backed by strong citizen demand. The law passed in November 2014 legalized recreational cannabis for adults (over 21), but prohibited its public use, without really defining the word «public».

The legislator later wanted to define «public» as any place of assembly, but this prevented, for example, the installation of a weed bar for a wedding or for a company party. The law was then relaxed to allow dispensaries to have a smoking area.

Contradictorily, there are currently no dispensaries in Alaska, as licenses have not yet been granted. Visit first dispensaries to open in 2016, This will undoubtedly attract tourists eager to consume at the point of purchase. Cannabis clubs, on the other hand, will continue to be banned, as the authorities do not have the means to regulate them.

Once again, citizens continue to fight to define the legal framework that will accompany Alaska's future cannabis industry.