A local group working to stay involved while preparing for the commercial marijuana industry has reached out to other states who legalized recreational marijuana.
Alaska Green Resources skyped with marijuana advocate Aidin Pen of Washington and AGR Member Dolly Phelps said he suggested Alaskan lawmakers should limit square footage on grow facilities to discourage corporations from ruling the market.
Phelps: “It would be difficult for a small time grower to compete with the hundred thousand square foot facilities and what’s happening in Washington is a lot of outside money has been able to come in and here in Alaska we want to try to protect our industry that we’re fighting so hard to get to begin with and this is one of the ways that we can do that. To limit the garden sizes will make it unappealing for outside interests to come here, you know some will.”
She added the idea of microbreweries in Alaska will translate over to “boutique growers” and the goal of keeping the new state industry local.
Alaska Green Resources members plan to travel to Fairbanks on July 2 to take part in the Marijuana Control Board’s public testimony.