At the April 18 Special Assembly Meeting, the Assembly passed AO 2023-46, As Amended, to change the license period for municipal marijuana establishments from one year to two (biennial) years.
"This ordinance is long overdue,” said Vice Chair Christopher Constant during the meeting. “What we have seen from the marijuana industry is a stunning level of compliance over the last couple of years. In some ways, this is a reward for good performance to an industry in our community that is providing millions of dollars in tax revenue, that has been the lone place in our economy where jobs are growing year after year.”
This effort, sponsored by Assembly Members Christopher Constant and Pete Petersen, will streamline municipal processes, deflate the procedural workload for municipal services and save local businesses time and money. In addition, the change adjusts the marijuana licensing process to parallel alcohol licensing periods, reflecting the message supported by voters when marijuana was legalized state-wide in 2014: “Let’s regulate marijuana like alcohol.”
“There are more than 100 of these licenses now in the Municipality,” added Member Pete Petersen. “When these licenses come up for renewal, they are required to be inspected by the police, fire and code enforcement officers. We’re already understaffed in those areas, so I’m glad we could free up our public safety officers for their important work out on the streets, hopefully preventing crime.”
The State of Alaska still requires annual renewals for the corresponding State marijuana licenses within the Municipality of Anchorage. Any comments or inquiries regarding the renewal process for State marijuana licenses are directed to the State of Alaska Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office.
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CONTACT
Christopher Constant | District 1
christopher.constant@anchorageak.gov
Pete Petersen | District 5
pete.petersen@anchorageak.gov
Miranda Honest | Business License Official, Clerk's Office
miranda.honest@anchorageak.gov