Weed legalized in Alaska, but rules on plant still being drafted

The recreational use of marijuana became legal in Alaska on Tuesday, but many regulations are still being drafted and police in at least one major city will enforce a ban on using weed in public places.

Alaska is the third state in the nation to legalize recreational use of marijuana, still a federally prohibited substance. Colorado and Washington have also allowed the recreational use of the drug.

In Alaska, anyone older than 21 will be allowed to possess up to an ounce of pot and have up to six plants growing on private property. However, buying and selling and smoking the drug in public spaces remains illegal.

Voters in the Republican state voted for legalization, 52.15 percent to 47.85 percent. But the measure did not define all issues, including what would be considered a public space.

Alaska’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Board met Tuesday and unanimously passed a measure to broadly define public space to include streets, parks, schools and places where people usually meet. The board is charged with developing regulations for pot usage.

Gov. Bill Walker filed legislation Monday to create a marijuana control board, similar to the body that controls alcohol sales. The new board, if created, would likely share staff with the alcohol regulators, the board was told.

Creating the new regulations will be a major step, officials and proponents agree.

In January, local officials passed an ordinance making smoking marijuana in public a violation, punishable by a $100 fine.

Police in Anchorage have said they will enforce the public smoking law.

Even though the sale of marijuana is banned, private exchanges of homegrown pot are permitted.

State regulators are still drafting rules covering taxation and sale of marijuana, which must be adopted by Nov. 24.

Applications for the first business licenses will not be accepted until February 2016, and marijuana won’t be legal for sale until at least May 2016.