Alaska

1. Brief Info

• Is CBD Legal in Alaska?

The products that contain less than 0.3% THC are federally legal in Alaska.

• Who Can Buy CBD in Alaska?

Most shop requires the customers to be at least 21 years of age.

• Who Can Grow CBD products in Alaska?

Sellers who have a government-approved license. 

• Who is protected from criminal offenses regarding CBD use? 

Consumers who use 1 oz or less. 

• More in-depth information about the state regulations and laws

2. Alaska CBD law

Beginning in 2014, Alaska joined 13 other states in establishing hemp pilot programs. The Alaska Senate passed SB 6 in April 2018 that authorized the state to move forward with a pilot hemp program. The bill set a THC concentration of below 0.3% to determine if it's industrial hemp or cannabis for medical purposes. In 2018, the Senate passed a far-reaching Farm Bill that included provisions related to hemp. In response, Alaska proposed regulations specifying how hemp products should be regulated. The Department of Natural Resources would be responsible for supervising the cultivation and harvesting of industrial hemp. All hemp-based products will have to undergo a potency test to determine their cannabinoid concentrations.  They also have to follow strict labeling requirements. For example, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not allow manufacturers of industrial hemp products to make any medical, health, or therapeutic claims on the label. The federal government classifies the growth and production of industrial hemp as illegal until they adopt final regulations.

Licensing Requirements

Under the proposed rules, hemp processors, growers and sellers will need to get a Department of Natural Resources license. Registrations are usually valid until January 1st of the following year. Then, the license needs to be renewed annually. People should include the following data in their license application:

• full name
• relevant business licenses (if any)
• The complete address, the map, and GPS coordinates of the area where they are planning to start the production.

Applicants will also need to pay the application and registration fee. The proposed rules allow registered growers to grow, store and sell raw industrial hemp. However, the state will also sample and test hemp harvests in order to check THC concentrations. Also, note that growers are prohibited from growing or storing industrial hemp in any building used originally for residential purposes.

Where to Buy CBD Products Legally In Alaska

CBD products can be found in many places in Alaska. For the most part, CBD is available from smoke shops, head stores, and dispensaries. The typical age requirement of most smoke shops is 21 due to tobacco being present within the facility, however, this does not mean that you cannot find a shop with a minimum age requirement of 18. Before visiting any smoke shop or dispensary to buy CBD, call and ask them if they actually sell the products. Shops may vary greatly in terms of what they offer. Keep in mind that there are different types of CBD products. Thus do not expect the store to offer everything. So, in order to save some time, you can choose online shopping. In spite of the legal marijuana regulations, it is quite easy to purchase CBD online in Alaska. The store can ship the product directly to your home, but you must go through some background checks first. Clearly, online retailers provide consumers with more options for CBD because they can sell the product as a loss-leader. However, it is important to note that online retailers may face fewer background checks than in-person stores do.  Thus, if you wish to buy CBD online in Alaska, research your store of choice before purchasing. Check reviews and make sure the website is up-to-date with legit information about their service.

Cannabis in Alaska

Alaska was the second American state to decriminalize cannabis after President Richard Nixon declared the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act in 1971. Alaska legalized the possession of marijuana in 1986 up to 4 ounces (113.4 grams) and 1 ounce (28.35 grams) outside of the home However, the pendulum turned back to ban in the late 1980s. On the ends of multiple cannabis trafficking busts, voters in 1990 approved Ballot Measure 2 - which passed by a wide margin. This act made possession of marijuana punishable by up to 90 days in jail or a $1,000 fine. The law has changed multiple times. And finally, Alaska's Measure 2, The Alaska Marijuana Legalization Initiative, was passed by 53% of voters in 2014. This initiative allowed for the regulation, production, sale, and use of recreational cannabis. Even though cannabis is legal in Alaska,  public consumption is still forbidden by state law.  Consumption of cannabis may be permitted on private property or within a valid consumption establishment.

Medical Cannabis in Alaska

Alaska residents who are 18 years of age and have one of the qualifying conditions can receive a medical card that will provide them with access to the state's regulated medical cannabis market. Minors can also receive their medical cards, but only if their physician risks have been signed off on and the parent or guardian agrees to be a caregiver. In Alaska, the following conditions are sufficient for an MMJ card: cancer, chronic severe pain, HIV/AIDS, glaucoma, severe nausea, seizures, etc.

Steps to Receive a Medical Marijuana Card in Alaska

Step 1: Visit a Physician

The first step in obtaining an Alaskan MMJ card is to visit a physician that you had seen within the last year and a half. After being evaluated by a health care provider, there will be a statement from that doctor saying you have at least one of the qualifying conditions.

Step 2: Apply for the Card

If the doctor grants you a medical statement, you can apply for the card. Submit an application to the Alaska Medical Marijuana Registry. Attach your physician statement,  a photocopy of your driver’s license or ID, and proof of  Alaskan residency.

Step 3: Pay the Application Fee

You have to pay $25  for the application.  The renewal fee is $20.

Step 4: Receive Your Card

You can expect to receive your Alaskan MMJ card in the mail, typically just a few weeks after getting approved.

Dosage limits

Legal consumers may possess 28.35 grams of marijuana in any form. They may also provide up to 1 ounce of marijuana and 6 young plants to a person who is 21 or older. Due to the no-smoking law, consumers may transport sealed cannabis within their vehicles, as long as it is in a container or placed in the trunk. Measure 2 does not stop landlords from prohibiting or regulating the use of marijuana on their property.

Penalties in Alaska for Using Medical Marijuana

Penalties for possession of more than an ounce of cannabis include up to a year in jail and a $10,000 fine. If you are caught with four ounces or more, no matter the location, you will be charged with a felony. The punishments for these crimes are up to five years in jail and fines as high as $50,000.

3. Notes

1. 1. Geoffrey William Guy; Brian Anthony Whittle; Philip Robson (2004). The Medicinal Uses of Cannabis and Cannabinoids. Pharmaceutical Press. pp. 74–. ISBN 978-0-85369-517-2.
   2. Bloomsbury Publishing (2010). Dictionary of Medical Terms. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 139.