The Juneau Assembly is in the process of streamlining conditional use permits for marijuana businesses and establishing new guidelines. Assemblymember Maria Gladziszewski raised concerns over an ad that recently popped up on Craigslist, boasting two acres of “land available for marijuana cultivation” for rent.
“And when we saw people on Craigslist saying, ‘Get in the green rush. Come to North Douglas or out the road and put a shed on the property.’ That was not what was discussed in the marijuana committee,” Gladziszewski said.
North Douglas is a low-density neighborhood where zoning allows commercial marijuana cultivation. The state already requires marijuana business owners be Alaska residents. But now, an amendment to Juneau’s land use code clarifies — when it comes to neighborhoods — they must also live on site. Although, if the owner approves, this would not stop a renter from starting a commercial grow operation.
Marijuana entrepreneurs may also be required to apply for a pot business license in addition to the state’s. The city license would give the municipality more local control if businesses fail to comply with city laws.
The assembly voted 6-3 on Monday to lower the licensing cost from $450 to $250. The assembly will reopen the discussion again on May 2 with public testimony.
