Ron Strider
Well-Known Member
Voters will decide the legality of marijuana sales in Fairbanks and the Fairbanks North Star Borough on Oct. 3.
And, with municipal elections fast approaching, cannabis opponents and advocates are working to push voter turnout in their favor.
Alaska voters legalized commercial marijuana growing and retail statewide in 2014. Since then, Fairbanks has been viewed by many as one of Alaska's more cannabis-friendly communities, with more than a dozen active growers in the area and more on the way. But last summer, campaigns launched by former City Councilwoman Vivian Stiver and another by Jim Ostlind, of Salcha, collected enough signatures to put referendums on city and borough ballots.
Since then, Ostlind has taken charge of the Safe Neighborhoods Fairbanks Political Action Committee.
"We're doing what every political group does," Ostlind said. "We're getting money for advertising and looking for volunteers to pass out literature. Basically, we're looking around at what's happening. We changed our name (formerly Drug Free Fairbanks) because it's more appropriate for our campaign. It has to do with marijuana businesses being put in residential neighborhoods."
Ostlind said the zoning requirements for marijuana establishments put them too close to homes. As an example, Ostlind cited a recent borough Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, during which a proposed cannabis-growing operation in the Badger Road neighborhood was met with strong opposition.
"For a lot of people who live in those neighborhoods it's a huge issue," Ostlind said. "I do need to emphasize. We're being accused of trying to interfere with the individual right to use marijuana. We're not trying to change that. Those individual rights won't be affected at all. Where marijuana can be grown, manufactured and sold, that right was given to the municipalities. Proposition 1 and A give those people the right to exercise it."
The Alaska Marijuana Industry Association has mobilized, as well. Last year a local chapter was formed and Greg Allison, former tourism director of Explore Fairbanks and co-owner of Good, a cannabis cultivator, has been tagged to lead the chapter. He also is working with the Keep Cannabis Legal Fairbanks Political Action Committee.
"We've really prepared ourselves for this," Allison said. "I think Fairbanks is on the same page."
In December, the AMIA held a canned food drive and donated 350 pounds of food to the St. Jude Episcopal Church food pantry in North Pole, Allison said. It was the first of a couple service projects that local cannabis industry leaders participated in to show their support for the community. Allison said he wanted Fairbanks to know that the cannabis industry is responsible and that it wants to give back to the community.
"We're not just a bunch of stoners. Get to know us," Allison said. "We're good leaders who care about the community. It's not a facade."
Then in April, the AMIA changed gears and went into campaign mode with fundraising. Allison said a large pro-pot banner paid for by Keep Cannabis Legal Fairbanks was placed on the corner of Airport Road and Cushman Street. Volunteers have been trained on voter registration and have worked to get cannabis proponents registered to vote. Allison said they've ordered 1,000 yard signs, too.
Earlier this month, AMIA hosted a barbecue at Grass Station 49 to educate consumers and register them to vote. Allison left open the possibility of more events.
Allison didn't hesitate to say he uses cannabis, but he said this is more than just about people's rights to make a legal purchase of marijuana from a store. He estimated between 150 and 200 people are employed by the cannabis industry in the Fairbanks area.
Part of the pro-pot campaign is stressing the beneficial financial impact of the marijuana industry, including sectors such as transportation, printing and security. The city of Fairbanks has received more than $130,000 of marijuana sales tax revenue in the first six months of 2017.
"The industry has shown positive growth through hard-working Alaskans and a significant economic impact," Allison said. "Our livelihoods are at stake, too."
Ostlind said his campaign is focusing on the one thing: keeping cannabis shops and cultivators out of residential neighborhoods. Ostlind plans to advertise through multiple media platforms.
"It takes money to advertise," Ostlind said. "I don't know exactly where. That depends on what money we have to spend. We're going to utilize all technologies."
Ostlind admitted the campaign has been chippy at times.
"There are people who are pretty emotional about this. We've had some calls we didn't want to get, but that's politics," Ostlind said. "Both sides want what they see as good for the community."
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Referendum pits pot retailers against neighborhood groups | Local News | newsminer.com
Author: Kevin Baird
Contact: Access Denied
Photo Credit: Eric Engman
Website: Access Denied
And, with municipal elections fast approaching, cannabis opponents and advocates are working to push voter turnout in their favor.
Alaska voters legalized commercial marijuana growing and retail statewide in 2014. Since then, Fairbanks has been viewed by many as one of Alaska's more cannabis-friendly communities, with more than a dozen active growers in the area and more on the way. But last summer, campaigns launched by former City Councilwoman Vivian Stiver and another by Jim Ostlind, of Salcha, collected enough signatures to put referendums on city and borough ballots.
Since then, Ostlind has taken charge of the Safe Neighborhoods Fairbanks Political Action Committee.
"We're doing what every political group does," Ostlind said. "We're getting money for advertising and looking for volunteers to pass out literature. Basically, we're looking around at what's happening. We changed our name (formerly Drug Free Fairbanks) because it's more appropriate for our campaign. It has to do with marijuana businesses being put in residential neighborhoods."
Ostlind said the zoning requirements for marijuana establishments put them too close to homes. As an example, Ostlind cited a recent borough Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, during which a proposed cannabis-growing operation in the Badger Road neighborhood was met with strong opposition.
"For a lot of people who live in those neighborhoods it's a huge issue," Ostlind said. "I do need to emphasize. We're being accused of trying to interfere with the individual right to use marijuana. We're not trying to change that. Those individual rights won't be affected at all. Where marijuana can be grown, manufactured and sold, that right was given to the municipalities. Proposition 1 and A give those people the right to exercise it."
The Alaska Marijuana Industry Association has mobilized, as well. Last year a local chapter was formed and Greg Allison, former tourism director of Explore Fairbanks and co-owner of Good, a cannabis cultivator, has been tagged to lead the chapter. He also is working with the Keep Cannabis Legal Fairbanks Political Action Committee.
"We've really prepared ourselves for this," Allison said. "I think Fairbanks is on the same page."
In December, the AMIA held a canned food drive and donated 350 pounds of food to the St. Jude Episcopal Church food pantry in North Pole, Allison said. It was the first of a couple service projects that local cannabis industry leaders participated in to show their support for the community. Allison said he wanted Fairbanks to know that the cannabis industry is responsible and that it wants to give back to the community.
"We're not just a bunch of stoners. Get to know us," Allison said. "We're good leaders who care about the community. It's not a facade."
Then in April, the AMIA changed gears and went into campaign mode with fundraising. Allison said a large pro-pot banner paid for by Keep Cannabis Legal Fairbanks was placed on the corner of Airport Road and Cushman Street. Volunteers have been trained on voter registration and have worked to get cannabis proponents registered to vote. Allison said they've ordered 1,000 yard signs, too.
Earlier this month, AMIA hosted a barbecue at Grass Station 49 to educate consumers and register them to vote. Allison left open the possibility of more events.
Allison didn't hesitate to say he uses cannabis, but he said this is more than just about people's rights to make a legal purchase of marijuana from a store. He estimated between 150 and 200 people are employed by the cannabis industry in the Fairbanks area.
Part of the pro-pot campaign is stressing the beneficial financial impact of the marijuana industry, including sectors such as transportation, printing and security. The city of Fairbanks has received more than $130,000 of marijuana sales tax revenue in the first six months of 2017.
"The industry has shown positive growth through hard-working Alaskans and a significant economic impact," Allison said. "Our livelihoods are at stake, too."
Ostlind said his campaign is focusing on the one thing: keeping cannabis shops and cultivators out of residential neighborhoods. Ostlind plans to advertise through multiple media platforms.
"It takes money to advertise," Ostlind said. "I don't know exactly where. That depends on what money we have to spend. We're going to utilize all technologies."
Ostlind admitted the campaign has been chippy at times.
"There are people who are pretty emotional about this. We've had some calls we didn't want to get, but that's politics," Ostlind said. "Both sides want what they see as good for the community."
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Referendum pits pot retailers against neighborhood groups | Local News | newsminer.com
Author: Kevin Baird
Contact: Access Denied
Photo Credit: Eric Engman
Website: Access Denied
