Legislature Urges Respect for Marijuana Legalization in Alaska

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 18, 2018

Legislature Urges Respect for Marijuana Legalization in Alaska

HJR 21 Calls for an End to Federal Interference in Alaska Regarding Marijuana Policy

Juneau – Today, the Alaska State Senate joined the Alaska House of Representatives in passing a resolution calling on the federal government to respect states’ rights and the will of the Alaskan people regarding marijuana policy. House Joint Resolution 21, sponsored by Rep. David Guttenberg (D-Fairbanks), also urges the federal government to reconsider its listing of marijuana as a schedule one controlled substance.

“The people of Alaska have spoken on this issue time and time again. Alaskans overwhelmingly voted in favor of legalization in 2014, and since then we have seen a thriving new industry that has created thousands of jobs and generated millions in tax revenue. The federal government needs to respect this and not work against it,” said Rep. Guttenberg. “By passing this resolution, the Alaska Legislature listened to and prioritized Alaskans wants. This is not a marijuana issue; it’s a state’s rights and federal overreach issue.”

House Joint Resolution 21 passed the Alaska State Senate today by a vote of 20-0. The resolution passed the Alaska House of Representatives last month by a unanimous vote of 38-0. After a concurrence vote, HJR 21 will be sent to Governor Bill Walker for his signature.

For more information, please contact Alliana Salanguit in Rep. Guttenberg’s office at (907) 465-4457.

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