Regulations go into effect Oct. 8 allowing licensed marijuana dealers in Alaska to provide free samples of their products.
The regulation, signed by Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom last month, revokes a prior prohibition on free samples.
Licensed dealers may be able to use this regulation to provide “first one’s free” promotions, as is done in some other states and Canada. Online providers such as West Coast Supply have robust free sample programs that introduce users to other products, and incentivize them to purchase items through a get-one-free, and a 25% off coupon.
Personal non-medical marijuana use and possession became legal in Alaska on February 24, 2015, after voters in 2014 passed Ballot Measure 2, on a vote of 149,021 to 130,924. It made Alaska the third state to legalize the sale of marijuana, preceded by Washington and Colorado.
The first Alaska state-licensed pot shop opened Oct. 29, 2016. By the end of 2022, Alaska had 459 active cannabis licenses for dispensaries, cultivators, manufacturers, and testing facilities.
