The Soldotna City Council will tonight pick up an ordinance which could further define “public places” where pot smoking is not allowed.
Police Chief Peter Mlynarik said his officers will continue to issue citations sparingly, whether specific definitions are implemented or not…
Chief Mlynarik: “You have to look at every one on its own merits and see if you would consider that public or not, knowing that if you do cite someone they have the right to defend themselves and you have to make sure that the enforcement action you take is going to be proper. You have to look at it and see all the circumstances involved.”
City Manager Mark Dixson proposed mirroring most of Anchorage’s new guidelines when forming the City’s definition, but $100 citations will be complaint-driven…
Dixson: “Complaint-driven means that we’re not going to be going out there and looking for people who are smoking pot, we’re going to be reacting to people who are complaining about others smoking pot.”
The Alcoholic Beverage Control Board loosely defined “public” as “a place to which the public or a substantial group of persons has access.”
The ABC Board regulations were implemented as an emergency last-minute response on February 24 and they expire June 23. In the meantime, a public hearing on the regulations will be held April 9 from 9-10am.