Alaska’s tourism has been increasing over the last couple years; could marijuana tourism be a part of the industry next year?
The Kenai Peninsula Tourism Marketing Council’s Executive Director Shanon Hamrick said previously 2008 was Alaska’s record breaking year.
Hamrick: “And then we were hit with the recession and numbers really plummeted. Last year was the first year that we climbed above those 2008 numbers, we were up over I believe 1.1 million visitors, and this year we’re on track to be up a couple percent over that.”
Most tourism outlets continue to pass on the option to comment on the possibility of marijuana tourism until state regulations come out but a new association has been watching other states in preparation.
Alaska Marijuana Industry Association board member Kim Cole said they have been learning from Colorado and Washington who also legalized marijuana.
Cole: “Colorado has really done a good job of promoting tourism and I think that Alaska is really a natural fit for that.”
The state has until late November to finalize commercial regulations for recreational marijuana.