Alaska has finally adopted rules allowing marijuana consumption at retail stores, thus becoming the first state in the country to do so.
However, according to the bill signed by Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer, interested pot stores need to first apply for an additional on-site consumption endorsement.
In order to apply for the on-site endorsement, stores need to pay a fee of $1,000 along with a $2,000 annual fee. The renewal has been kept at $600.
The new rules, which come into effect from April 11, will allow customers to consume 1 gram of cannabis or 10 mg of edibles inside a shop premises, each day.
Furthermore, the rules state that the on-site consumption is allowed only inside a free-standing building with separate ventilation, accessible only through one secure door from the retail shop.
According to the official memo released by the state government, stores may sell THC concentrates to customers for on-site consumption; however, the employees have been barred from carrying out any such recreational activity while on duty. Notably, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the chemical compound that gets one high when using marijuana.
Customers, on the other hand, have to ensure that they do not consume marijuana products or tobacco purchased off-site.
To keep things further ‘clean’, the expanded rules state no retail shop can allow intoxicated or drunk customers inside the store. In addition, the government prohibits these retailers from offering ‘happy hours’, ‘in-house discounts’, all-you-can-eat’ deals or competitions that offer pots as prizes.
Nevertheless, if local governments wish to opt-out of the on-site consumption program, they are free to do so, just like Alaska’s ‘dry’ villages, where alcohol sales are banned.
“The first on-site retail shop is expected to be up and running by mid-July,” said Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office director, Erika McConnell, through an email.
