Here come the smoking lounges. Alaska marijuana retailers can apply on April 11 for permits allowing on-site consumption of cannabis products.
The regulations pertaining to such permits were adopted by the Marijuana Control Board last year, allowing customers to smoke on the premises of establishments with the on-site consumption permits, which will require security and ventilation of designated smoking areas.
Those applying this week may be able to pass their reviews by July and begin offering the added feature to their cannabis stores during the coming tourist season.
Local governments still have oversight. The Fairbanks City Council has been debating permitting on-site consumption. If approved, Fairbanks would be the first city in Alaska to do so. But the council may now consider asking voters to make the decision. The state regulations allow local governments to either prohibit on-site use, or to limit consumption to vaporizing, rather than smoking, for instance.
Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer signed the regulations into law last month, making Alaska the first state to issue permits for on-site consumption.
