After a far-ranging discussion about the dangers of driving a four-wheeler while high or hosting pot parties on a sternwheeler, a Department of Law official attempted to comfort senators by saying the sky has not, in fact, fallen since marijuana possession became legal under state law.
Deputy Attorney General Richard Svobodny told the Senate Finance Committee that Ballot Measure 2 going into law hasn’t dramatically changed things in Alaska and many concerns raised by the committee, like driving while high, are addressed by existing laws. And concerns about commercial marijuana, like pot parties, will be addressed through regulations.
“The sky hasn’t fallen since the 24th of February,” he told the committee after being asked what would happen if they don’t pass a bill smoothing out the wrinkles between Ballot Measure 2 and existing criminal law. “If nothing happened, we’re going to be prosecuting people for driving under the influence of marijuana. We did that before the initiative.”
Senate Bill 30, which spent a month in the Senate Judiciary Committee, seeks to clear up existing laws to be in line with Ballot Measure 2’s provisions allowing people 21 and older to possess up to 1 ounce of marijuana outside their home and grow up to six plants.
The discussion in the Finance Committee flitted from issues like food and drug regulations, school safety and the operation of motor vehicles and heavy machinery. SB30 ballooned when the Judiciary Committee opted to rewrite all state laws related to controlled substances, exposing several more unusual laws pertaining to activities like skiing and watercraft that caught the attention of senators.
Via newsminer.com
