Ron Strider
Well-Known Member
Nearly two years and two months after the first provisions of a voter initiative to legalize commercial marijuana went into effect, Alaska's marijuana growers met in Fairbanks to discuss the state of the industry.
The Alaska Marijuana Industry Association hosted its first conference in Fairbanks on Saturday at Pioneer Parks’ Centennial Center for the Arts, drawing a variety of vendors and marijuana enthusiasts.
The road to legalized marijuana was set by the passage of a voter initiative in 2014 that legalized personal use of marijuana in early 2015 and charted the path to commercial marijuana industry that opened its doors late last year.
The Fairbanks Community and Cannabis Industry Conference featured a variety of local growers, processors and retailers as well as a number of other businesses and organizations related to the marijuana industry. Throughout the day, people interested in joining the marijuana business themselves or simply in marijuana itself cycled through the conference asking questions and listening to a slate of speakers.
“We've actually got an industry up and running. What does it look like?” asked Brandon Emmett, the president of the Alaska Marijuana Industry Association, at the meeting.
Emmett outlined efforts, saying that the Alaska Marijuana Control Office has been slower than hoped when reviewing applications and issuing permits. He said of more than 600 applicants, about 100 have been approved.
Though Emmett is an industry member on the Marijuana Control Board, he was critical of the administrative handling of the industry, noting that the lack of growers, testers and processors has created bottlenecks throughout Alaska that has left businesses facing shortages.
“Anyone who wants to grow weed should get an application,” he said.
Emmett is the co-owner of Good Titrations, a Fairbanks business focused on processing marijuana into potent concentrates that can be used in edibles or for direct consumption.
Emmett also outlined additional threats to the marijuana industry in the form of local initiatives aimed at banning businesses, including one this fall in Fairbanks, and called on people to work to oppose them.
Despite the setbacks and looming threats, Emmett said the industry so far has been incredibly collaborative and supportive of each other as everyone finds their footing.
Marijuana retail store Goodsinse owner Daniel Peters elaborated on that during his presentation to the conference.
“All these people, I’m very proud of to be a part of with this industry,” he said. “I’ve been very happy with the way we all get along real well. We’ve been friends and become friends throughout the year here.”
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Marijuana industry hosts first Fairbanks conference | Local News | newsminer.com
Author: Matt Buxton mbuxton
Contact: Contact Us | Site | newsminer.com
Photo Credit: Eric Engman
Website: newsminer.com | The voice of Interior Alaska
The Alaska Marijuana Industry Association hosted its first conference in Fairbanks on Saturday at Pioneer Parks’ Centennial Center for the Arts, drawing a variety of vendors and marijuana enthusiasts.
The road to legalized marijuana was set by the passage of a voter initiative in 2014 that legalized personal use of marijuana in early 2015 and charted the path to commercial marijuana industry that opened its doors late last year.
The Fairbanks Community and Cannabis Industry Conference featured a variety of local growers, processors and retailers as well as a number of other businesses and organizations related to the marijuana industry. Throughout the day, people interested in joining the marijuana business themselves or simply in marijuana itself cycled through the conference asking questions and listening to a slate of speakers.
“We've actually got an industry up and running. What does it look like?” asked Brandon Emmett, the president of the Alaska Marijuana Industry Association, at the meeting.
Emmett outlined efforts, saying that the Alaska Marijuana Control Office has been slower than hoped when reviewing applications and issuing permits. He said of more than 600 applicants, about 100 have been approved.
Though Emmett is an industry member on the Marijuana Control Board, he was critical of the administrative handling of the industry, noting that the lack of growers, testers and processors has created bottlenecks throughout Alaska that has left businesses facing shortages.
“Anyone who wants to grow weed should get an application,” he said.
Emmett is the co-owner of Good Titrations, a Fairbanks business focused on processing marijuana into potent concentrates that can be used in edibles or for direct consumption.
Emmett also outlined additional threats to the marijuana industry in the form of local initiatives aimed at banning businesses, including one this fall in Fairbanks, and called on people to work to oppose them.
Despite the setbacks and looming threats, Emmett said the industry so far has been incredibly collaborative and supportive of each other as everyone finds their footing.
Marijuana retail store Goodsinse owner Daniel Peters elaborated on that during his presentation to the conference.
“All these people, I’m very proud of to be a part of with this industry,” he said. “I’ve been very happy with the way we all get along real well. We’ve been friends and become friends throughout the year here.”
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Marijuana industry hosts first Fairbanks conference | Local News | newsminer.com
Author: Matt Buxton mbuxton
Contact: Contact Us | Site | newsminer.com
Photo Credit: Eric Engman
Website: newsminer.com | The voice of Interior Alaska
