The state approved its first licenses for commercial cannabis businesses Thursday, a major step for prospective retailers hoping to open shop before year’s end. Officially, the state’s first shop to be approved was Fairbanks’ Frozen Budz. The first for Anchorage is called Enlighten Alaska, located in Spenard. Jane Stinson is one of the co-owners of the business, and says getting the license is a major step forward.
“What this means to us is that we have a lot of work to do. So this’ll allow us to start our build-out, or continue with it. And start communicating, networking with all of our vendors and the folks who’ve already received their cultivation licenses,” said Stinson.
The state’s Marijuana Control Board has already approved dozens of cultivation licenses, allowing commercial growers to move ahead.
Though a few businesses have already received local approval, others, like Stinson’s, are still scheduled to go before local governments for another review process.
“We go in front of the Muni on October 18th for our special land use permit for marijuana,” said Stinson.
Though that’s the last significant regulatory hurdle for Stinson, many challenges remain as the new industry comes on line. Major questions about about transportation, financing, and security are still being figured out as officials, entrepreneurs, and customers grapple with commercial cannabis.
The board also approved the first licenses for manufacturing facilities, which are business that plan on making products like edibles and concentrates for sale in shops.
Zachariah Hughes reports on city & state politics, arts & culture, drugs, and military affairs in Anchorage and South Central Alaska.
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