Tag Archives: Recreational Cannabis

Drug War, Featured, Government Accountability, Marijuana Prohibition, Police Accountability, US

Police Target Pot Activist Who Quit TV Job On Air

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Remember the Anchorage newscaster who quit her job on the air and planned to devote herself to marijuana activism? Former television reporter Charlo Greene and her organization, Alaska Cannabis Club, were raided by Anchorage police, who carried out search warrants after receiving reports of illegal marijuana sales.

According to the Associated Press,  Greene, whose legal name is Charlene Egbe, said that the club acts as a medical marijuana dispensary.

“We don’t sell any recreational marijuana. We don’t sell any medical marijuana. This is a place for cardholders to come and share their own cannabis,” she said.

Greene said that the police took a couple of marijuana plants, bongs, pipes, phones and computers from the home where multiple medical marijuana cardholders live. They also impounded a Dodge Dakota and a Jeep Liberty during the raid on Friday.

“Any evidence we find here in pursuit to the investigation we would seize that evidence and likely some charges will be filed,” said Anchorage Police Department spokeswoman Jennifer Castro. “It’s a good reminder that you cannot sell marijuana in Alaska or any product in any other form.”

Greene expressed her frustration on the Alaska Cannabis Club Facebook page:

“I don’t know what’s more disappointing: the fact that the only safe access point for our state’s thousands of medical marijuana cardholders was robbed by local police at gunpoint, or the fact that, in spite of voters legalizing medical marijuana in 1998 and recreational marijuana this past November, the raid on my home and private club didn’t surprise me, or anyone, at all.

“As a tax paying Alaskan, should I be incensed at the fact that Anchorage Police decided to waste already-stretched-thin resources executing a search search warrant on me, with around 10 armed officers in full-on swat gear (all threatening to arrest the peaceful 40-60 year old medical marijuana patients that were inside) instead of focusing on the stabbing and shootings that happened a mile away and just a few hours prior to their raid on my home?”

Although Alaskan voters approved recreational marijuana last year in a ballot measure, the substance remains illegal to sell. Guidelines for regulation are still under legislative review.

No charges have been filed yet.

Check out the video (at 3:00) that made her famous.

Drug War, Marijuana Prohibition, Politics, States Rights, US

Alaska Becomes Third State To Legalize Recreational Marijuana

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Recreational marijuana in Alaska became legal on Tuesday following the November 2014 passage of Ballot Measure 2, a voter initiative approving recreational adult use. Ballot Measure 2 was approved by about 52% of voters. Alaska is now the third state to legalize recreational marijuana, joining Colorado and Washington.

Regulations are still being drafted detailing the sale and taxation of marijuana. Individuals 21 years of age or older may possess up to one ounce of marijuana and can grow up to six plants. Only three of those plants would be allowed to be flowering. Smoking it in public is illegal, as is driving under the influence.

While private exchanges of marijuana are allowed, money is not allowed to be involved in the exchanges. “You can still give people marijuana, but you can’t buy it — or even barter for it,” said Alexandra Gutierrez of Alaska Public Media.

Business license applications for marijuana will be accepted beginning in February 2016. Gutierrez said that stores are expected to be licensed and operational sometime next year.

Alaska Gov. Bill Walker introduced a bill on Monday to establish a new Marijuana Control Board that would be in charge of marijuana regulation and grant authority to enforce the laws. “Importantly, the bill would give the Marijuana Control Board the power to enforce its regulations, including the ability to use peace officer powers to enforce the criminally punishable laws and regulations relating to marijuana,” Walker explained.

The Marijuana Policy Project announced a plan to place bus ads in Anchorage advocating for responsible marijuana use now that recreational marijuana is legal. “With great marijuana laws comes great responsibility,” the ad reads. The advertising points to consumeresponsibly.org, which provides information regarding legalization. The site also cautions people to use marijuana responsibly: users are advised to refrain from driving after smoking or consuming, to keep marijuana away from children and pets, and to respect aversions that others may have in the presence of marijuana.

The Anchorage Police Department has urged marijuana users to be aware of the laws and regulations already in place with a “Know Your Grow” section of their website. “Ultimately the concern of the police department is the safety and health of our public,” Anchorage police spokeswoman Jennifer Castro said. “We want to make sure that people are not operating their vehicle impaired or under the influence of marijuana.”