Cannabis in Alaska
Adult-use cannabis was legalized via voter action in 2014.
Medical cannabis was legalized by voter action in 1998.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski - R
Supports Federal Legalization
- Expunge Past Cannabis Convictions
- Reinvest In Communities Most Impacted By The War On Drugs
- Allow States To Legalize Adult-Use Cannabis
- Allow States To Legalize Medical Cannabis
- Allow VA Doctors To Recommend Medical Cannabis
- Allow Cannabis Businesses To Use Banks
- Co-Sponsored the Safe Banking Act of 2023, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level
- When asked in a survey if marijuana should be legalized federally, Murkowski replied ‘Yes’. (2022)
- Murkowski has said that she is open to discussing ways to remove federal cannabis penalties. (2021)
- Said removing federal penalties from cannabis may end up being the “cleanest” way to break down the many hurdles facing cannabis businesses. (2021)
- Cosponsored the SAFE Banking Act of 2021, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2021)
- Cosponsored the STATES Act of 2019, which would prevent the federal government from interfering with cannabis policy at the state level. (2019)
- Cosponsored the SAFE Banking Act of 2019, which would allow banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2019)
- Cosponsored the STATES ACT, which would prevent the federal government from interfering with cannabis policy at the state level, allow banks to provide services to legitimate cannabis businesses, and end the federal prohibition of industrial hemp. (2018)
- Opposed Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ decision to rescind an Obama-era guideline that kept the Justice Department from interfering with state cannabis policy. (2018)
- A spokesperson for Sen. Murkowski told VICE: “While Senator Murkowski personally did not support Alaska’s initiative to legalize marijuana for recreational use, she supports states’ decisions on the issue,” a spokesperson said. “Senator Murkowski has been involved in various efforts such as letters and pieces of legislation regarding the inconsistency between state marijuana laws and federal policy.”
- Cosponsored the CARERS Act of 2017, which would prevent the federal government from interfering with state medical cannabis policy and end the federal prohibition of CBD. (2017)
- Cosponsored the SAFE Banking Act, which would allow banks to provide services to legitimate cannabis businesses. (2017)
- Quote: “I strongly believe that the federal government has no place in undermining the effective administration of state marijuana laws” (2017)
- Voted in favor of allowing VA doctors to recommend cannabis for veterans in states where it is legal. (2017)
- Voted in favor of preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting medical cannabis patients and providers in states where it is legal. (2016)
- Voted in favor of allowing banks to provide financial services to cannabis-related businesses that are operating legally under state laws. (2016)
Sen. Dan Sullivan - R
Does Not Support Federal Legalization
- Expunge Past Cannabis Convictions
- Reinvest In Communities Most Impacted By The War On Drugs
- Allow States To Legalize Adult-Use Cannabis
- Allow States To Legalize Medical Cannabis
- Allow VA Doctors To Recommend Medical Cannabis
- Allow Cannabis Businesses To Use Banks
- Co-sponsored the SAFER Banking Act of 2023, which would ensure that all businesses – including State-sanctioned cannabis businesses – have access to deposit accounts, insurance and other financial services.
- Co-Sponsored the Safe Banking Act of 2023, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level
- Tweet: “New: I asked @DanSullivan_AK this week what federal #cannabis reform looks like to him. He said giving states more protections through the #SAFEBanking + the #STATESAct, but not removing all federal penalties from weed. Note: AK legalized in 2014.” (2021)
- (2021)Cosponsored the SAFE Banking Act of 2021, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2021)
- Cosponsored the STATES Act of 2019, which would prevent the federal government from interfering with cannabis policy at the state level. (2019)
- Cosponsored the SAFE Banking Act of 2019, which would allow banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2019)
- Tweeted his support for protecting “states rights to regulate marijuana.” (2018)
- Cosponsored the STATES ACT, which would prevent the federal government from interfering with cannabis policy at the state level, allow banks to provide services to legitimate cannabis businesses, and end the federal prohibition of industrial hemp. (2018)
- Quote: “Although I did not support the 2014 ballot initiative to legalize cannabis, it strongly passed and I passionately believe in democracy and the principles of states’ rights… As we move forward, I will be examining new and existing legislative proposals and working to ensure the rights of Alaskans and the State of Alaska are protected.” (2018)
- Cosponsored the SAFE Banking Act, which would allow banks to provide services to legitimate cannabis businesses. (2017)
Rep. Mary Peltola (At-Large) - D
Supports Federal Legalization
- Expunge Past Cannabis Convictions
- Reinvest In Communities Most Impacted By The War On Drugs
- Allow States To Legalize Adult-Use Cannabis
- Allow States To Legalize Medical Cannabis
- Allow VA Doctors To Recommend Medical Cannabis
- Allow Cannabis Businesses To Use Banks
- Co-sponsored the Veterans Equal Access Act of 2023, which would authorize health care providers from the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide recommendations and opinions to veterans regarding participation in State marijuana programs.
- Co-Sponsored the SAFE Banking Act of 2023, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level
- When asked: ‘Should marijuana be legalized federally?’, Peltola replied: “Yes.” (2022)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy - R
Has Not Supported Adult Use Legalization In Their State
- Replying to President Biden’s announcement on the cannabis reform policy in October 2022, a representative of Governor Dunleavy said: “In Alaska, we do not have anyone in jail for simple possession of marijuana.” (2022)
- Governor Dunleavy tweeted: “I support lawmakers’ work to clear criminal records of Alaskans with low-level marijuana offenses. Alaskans should not be met with barriers for conduct that is no longer a crime under state law.” (2022)
- Unveiled a plan to eliminate the state’s Marijuana Control Board and give the state’s commerce commissioner the authority to regulate the cannabis industry. (2019)
- Appointed an activist who opposed cannabis retail sales in Fairbanks to the state’s Marijuana Control Board. (2019)
- Said he does not support altering the state’s retail cannabis tax rate. (2018)
Take Action in Alaska
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