About a dozen residents turned out Monday to hear a presentation opposing a ballot measure that would legalize and commercialize marijuana in Alaska.
Voters will cast ballots on Proposition 2 on Nov. 4.
Anticipating a heated discussion, Haines Borough Assembly member Dave Berry urged the audience to “be civil” and “be on our best behavior” or risk being cut off and asked to calm down.
Kristina Woolston, a representative for the grassroots coalition “Big Marijuana. Big Mistake. Vote No on 2,” gave a short PowerPoint presentation in the Chilkat Center lobby before the meeting descended into debate.
One of Woolston’s main objections to the proposed legislation is its funding and promotion by the Marijuana Policy Project, an organization that pushes pro-marijuana legislation at the federal and state levels.
Woolston objected to the organization’s influence on the state and its calculated decision to fund Proposition 2 in Alaska. “(The Marijuana Policy Project) specifically targeted us as part of their strategy,” Woolston said.
The proposition’s legalization of all forms of marijuana – including concentrates like shatter, ear wax and butane hash oil, which can be over 80 percent THC – also takes legalization too far, Woolston said.
“It’s not your Woodstock weed anymore,” Woolston said.
The proposition also allows for the commercialization of marijuana, including concentrates and edibles packaged to appeal to children, she said.
Lollipops, ice cream, gummy bears and other sweets are being infused with THC and packaged to look like their benign counterparts, Woolston said.
Woolston also contended that marijuana legalization will end up costing the state more than it would bring in through tax revenue because of increased enforcement and regulatory costs.
Resident Dean Lari told Woolston he had “concerns with how you presented this” and said the country, state and Haines Borough are waging an “unnecessary war” against a plant.
Lari said marijuana users are “tired of being outlaws.” “We’re going to smoke pot. We’re tired of hiding behind bushes and in trees,” he said.
Lari pointed out that children would not be allowed in the stores where marijuana edibles are sold, though Woolston countered that the edibles would still be more readily available and could end up on a counter at an adult’s house within easy reach of a child.
Resident Fred Einspruch argued that alcohol, a legalized drug, is much more toxic than marijuana. “No one’s ever died of cannabis overdose,” Einspruch said.
Assembly candidate Jerry Erny asked Woolston why her presentation wasn’t more focused on the detrimental effects of marijuana use on adolescents and young adults. “It absolutely kills their motivation,” Erny said. “And from 13 to 35, you really need to be full of piss and vinegar to make your way in life.”
Resident Walter Betz inquired about the existing marijuana laws in Alaska, which allow people to possess up to four ounces or 25 plants for personal use by adults in the privacy of their homes.
“To me it seems like, isn’t that enough?” Betz asked.
In an interview Tuesday, Haines Borough Mayor Stephanie Scott, who attended the meeting, said she was glad a mixture of opinions were voiced. However, Scott said she wished the presentation focused more on the shortcomings of the legislation.
“It’s too broad and it doesn’t protect people well enough,” she said.
Scott recently voted at an Alaska Conference of Mayors meeting to oppose Proposition 2. The vote passed unanimously.
“I think it’s a poorly written piece of legislation and it’s going to cause us a lot of grief. I’d be willing to work on legislation that is more appropriate for Alaska,” she said.