Yesterday Lt. Governor Mead Treadwell announced the certification of two initiatives: one to decriminalize, tax, and regulate the use and sale of marijuana and the other to increase Alaska minimum wage.
One of the sponsors, Dr. Timothy Hinterberger, explained the petition…
Hinterberger: “The bill would tax and regulate the production, sale, and use of marijuana in Alaska by persons 21 and older. It would allow people to possess marijuana. They would have to present identification showing their age in order to buy marijuana or marijuana accessories.”
However there would be strict rules against personal cultivation. It would also allow legislature to create a Marijuana Control Board that would provide adoption of regulations and allow for local control of manufacture and sale of marijuana.
The bill proposed by 13MINW would raise Alaska minimum wage to $8.75 per hour as of January 1, 2015 and $9.75 per hour January 1, 2016 and have it adjusted annually based on inflation.
The Division of Elections determined the citizen initiative signature books had the sufficient number of sponsor signatures.
For the initiatives to appear on the ballot this fall, the lieutenant governor must conduct two public hearings in all four of Alaska’s judicial districts within the 30 days before the election.
