The Anchorage Assembly has voted to loosen the city’s policy regarding marijuana use among city workers.
Anchorage is by far Alaska’s largest city, making up about 40% of the state’s population. Under a rules change approved by city lawmakers marijuana use would no longer be a fireable offense among those employed by the city, as long as it didn’t occur during work hours.
This change, put forth by Assembly Chair Christopher Constant and cosponsored by Assembly Member George Martinez, will officially take effect in 30 days.
“I think this is just moving us to the direction where we respect people’s privacies and we live up to the way we voted on this, the people voted on this, a decade ago almost,” said Martinez, referencing the fact that Alaska legalized marijuana in 2014.
The change would apply to a large majority of city workers, but not to all positions. For example, it would not apply to positions requiring a commercial drivers license or those in law enforcement.
The Assembly voted 9 to 3 to approve the ordinance.
Under Alaska’s marijuana law those 21 and older are allowed to purchase, possess and use up to an ounce of marijuana. Licensed marijuana stores opened in 2016. According to data released by the Anchorage Department of Finance, marijuana stores in the city have sold $55 million worth of product so far in 2023.
