Jacob Redmond
Well-Known Member
The City Council is divided over whether to allow marijuana to be sold here.
The panel agreed at a workshop on Thursday to deal with personal use of pot first.
"I think the first thing is public consumption, defining that, narrowing it down," North Pole Mayor Bryce Ward said.
The North Pole City Council is the first municipal lawmaking body in the Fairbanks North Star Borough to take up the issue of local marijuana regulation.
The panel held a workshop to discuss Councilwoman Sharron Hunter's proposal to ban the sale of marijuana in the Christmas-themed community.
The workshop was held for discussion purposes. No vote was made.
Starting Feb. 24, people 21 and older can have, grow, trade and transport limited amounts of marijuana. Pot sales are down the road after the state creates regulations. It is unlawful to consume marijuana in public.
Leaders in North Pole agreed for a need to define what is a public space so marijuana users will know where they are allowed to partake.
Councilwoman Elizabeth Holm suggested the definition of a public space include restaurants, waiting rooms, malls, education facilities, libraries, medical facilities, theaters, auditoriums and waiting rooms.
Holm is the chief opponent on the council of allowing marijuana to be sold in North Pole.
She said she is concerned about her child getting the impression that using pot is OK after seeing marijuana stores in the community.
Councilman Thomas McGhee, who argued in favor of inviting the marijuana industry to North Pole, said he's been going around asking people about it.
McGhee said he asks residents if they would mind if an empty bank on Santa Claus Lane, the main drag, became a marijuana dispensary. Most have been supportive of the idea, he said.
McGhee said there's a misleading stereotype of marijuana users propagated by the news media.
"The truth of the matter is it's the doctors, the teachers, the university educators, the lawyers. I know these people. They indulge."
McGhee said North Pole needs the tax revenues to deal with an increased demand on public services anticipated because of the new marijuana laws.
"I feel if we prohibit the retail sales within the city limits, we are cutting ourselves out of a share of the revenues," McGhee said.
North Pole Police Chief Steve Dutra said he is concerned about edible marijuana products, such as pot tarts, which are packaged to look like Pop-Tarts, getting into the hands of children.
Dutra recently attended a conference dealing with law enforcement and government issues since Colorado legalized marijuana.
"We have to urge our legislators to regulate these products," he said. "The kids will get them."
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: North Pole grapples with marijuana laws at City Council workshop - Fairbanks Daily News-Miner: Local News
Author: Amanda Bohman
Contact: abohman@newsminer.com
Photo Credit: New Line Cinema
Website: Fairbanks Daily News-Miner: The voice of Interior Alaska since 1903
The panel agreed at a workshop on Thursday to deal with personal use of pot first.
"I think the first thing is public consumption, defining that, narrowing it down," North Pole Mayor Bryce Ward said.
The North Pole City Council is the first municipal lawmaking body in the Fairbanks North Star Borough to take up the issue of local marijuana regulation.
The panel held a workshop to discuss Councilwoman Sharron Hunter's proposal to ban the sale of marijuana in the Christmas-themed community.
The workshop was held for discussion purposes. No vote was made.
Starting Feb. 24, people 21 and older can have, grow, trade and transport limited amounts of marijuana. Pot sales are down the road after the state creates regulations. It is unlawful to consume marijuana in public.
Leaders in North Pole agreed for a need to define what is a public space so marijuana users will know where they are allowed to partake.
Councilwoman Elizabeth Holm suggested the definition of a public space include restaurants, waiting rooms, malls, education facilities, libraries, medical facilities, theaters, auditoriums and waiting rooms.
Holm is the chief opponent on the council of allowing marijuana to be sold in North Pole.
She said she is concerned about her child getting the impression that using pot is OK after seeing marijuana stores in the community.
Councilman Thomas McGhee, who argued in favor of inviting the marijuana industry to North Pole, said he's been going around asking people about it.
McGhee said he asks residents if they would mind if an empty bank on Santa Claus Lane, the main drag, became a marijuana dispensary. Most have been supportive of the idea, he said.
McGhee said there's a misleading stereotype of marijuana users propagated by the news media.
"The truth of the matter is it's the doctors, the teachers, the university educators, the lawyers. I know these people. They indulge."
McGhee said North Pole needs the tax revenues to deal with an increased demand on public services anticipated because of the new marijuana laws.
"I feel if we prohibit the retail sales within the city limits, we are cutting ourselves out of a share of the revenues," McGhee said.
North Pole Police Chief Steve Dutra said he is concerned about edible marijuana products, such as pot tarts, which are packaged to look like Pop-Tarts, getting into the hands of children.
Dutra recently attended a conference dealing with law enforcement and government issues since Colorado legalized marijuana.
"We have to urge our legislators to regulate these products," he said. "The kids will get them."
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: North Pole grapples with marijuana laws at City Council workshop - Fairbanks Daily News-Miner: Local News
Author: Amanda Bohman
Contact: abohman@newsminer.com
Photo Credit: New Line Cinema
Website: Fairbanks Daily News-Miner: The voice of Interior Alaska since 1903
