Posted on 12/06/2014 6:40:30 AM PST by Wolfie
The Green Rush: Marijuana businesses, associations gear up
With the passage of Ballot Measure 2 last month, a new industry has opened up in Alaska for entrepreneurs looking to cash in on cannabis.
Recreational marijuana will be legalized in Alaska on Feb. 24, and the green rush has already begun. Three trade shows are planned for Anchorage this spring. Cannabis associations are taking shape. And entrepreneurs are anxious for the regulatory process to begin, as the laws will ultimately define what marijuana businesses look like in Alaska.
Attorney advice
Attorneys consulting would-be marijuana entrepreneurs are some of the first industry professionals out of the gates.
California attorney Ben Adams has branded himself as Alaska Pot Attorney on Facebook, and he has lofty goals for his practice. The industry is expanding exponentially, Adams said. I intend to be the face of legal marijuana in Alaska.
Adams is also a co-sponsor "The Rush Is On," a cannabis trade show coming to Anchorage.
Originally from British Columbia, Adams worked as a public defender in Alaska for six years. He then moved to California, where he works in both criminal defense and with medical marijuana businesses. Now, marijuana is bringing Adams back to the state.
Since legalization in Alaska, I probably havent slept more than 20 hours, Adams said. Im going on pure adrenaline and whiskey and coffee.
Adams advice for entrepreneurs? Just assemble a great team. Get a good lawyer. Get a CPA. Get the people behind you who can help do things that you dont know how to do.
Also, If you dont have access to at least $100,000, you shouldnt be thinking about this, Adams said.
Anchorage attorney Lance Wells is also eyeing the marijuana market, forming the Alaska Cannabis Law Group, LLC., alongside attorney David Schlerf.
(Excerpt) Read more at adn.com ...
I didn’t vote for it, but they haven’t been enforcing pot laws up here for quite some time. Out here in the rural areas, no law enforcement; locals openly grow it and don’t care what anybody thinks about it anyway.
This isn’t about personal use, this is about commercialized industrial sale of recreational pot.
What is the difference between tobacco and cannabis when smoked? Tobacco is harmful to the body, second hand smoke is dangerous to those around the smoker, but cannabis isn’t?
Quasi black markets like this are asking for trouble.
As for pot addiction itself, it is just one of the tragic traits of this age. People have bade God go away, so they fill up their resulting empty lives with all manner of things that won’t satisfy. Eliminating the pot, if it were possible, won’t eliminate the problem.
What is the difference between tobacco and cannabis when smoked?
Tobacco kills you and cannabis just makes you stupid and annoying.
Sale for what purpose if not personal use?
Who said it isn't? Tobacco is legal in all 50 states and at the federal level; and I haven't heard that any pot-legalizing states will allow pot smoking in any places where tobacco smoking is banned.
Sale for achieving number one market share and broadening the user base.
Nanny Staters aren’t big fans of adults making those kinds of choices. As for Alaska, marijuana has been legal for personal use since 1975 (Ravin v. State).
Individuals cannot distill their own alcohol (legally).
Thank you, Vaduz.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.