2015-02-23                     Senate Journal                      Page 0293
SB 60                                                                                                                         
SENATE BILL NO. 60 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                                                                                
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled:                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
          "An Act establishing the Marijuana Control Board;                                                                     
          relating to the powers and duties of the Marijuana                                                                    
          Control Board; relating to the appointment, removal,                                                                  
          and duties of the director of the Marijuana Control                                                                   
          Board; relating to the Alcoholic Beverage Control                                                                     
          Board; and providing for an effective date."                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and referred to the Labor and Commerce, State                                                           
Affairs and Finance Committees.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal information was published today:                                                                           
 Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Commerce, Community and                                                                       
  Economic Development                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Governor's transmittal letter dated February 20:                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Dear President Meyer:                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Under the authority of Article III, Section 18 of the Alaska                                                                    
Constitution, I am transmitting a bill establishing the Marijuana                                                               
Control Board (Board) and relating to the Alcoholic Beverage Control                                                            
Board.                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
The bill would protect public safety and promote effective regulation                                                           
of the marijuana industry consistent with the people's intent as                                                                
expressed in AS 17.38 by creating the Marijuana Control Board that                                                              
includes representatives from the public health and safety sectors, the                                                         
marijuana industry, and the general public. The Board's members                                                                 

2015-02-23                     Senate Journal                      Page 0294
would be appointed by the Governor to serve staggered terms of three                                                            
years; the Board would have authority to regulate marijuana                                                                     
cultivation, transportation, production, and sale, as set out in                                                                
AS 17.38.090. Importantly, the bill would give the Marijuana Control                                                            
Board the power to enforce its regulations, including the ability to use                                                        
peace officer powers to enforce the criminally punishable laws and                                                              
regulations relating to marijuana. And, by providing for a shared                                                               
administrative and enforcement staff with the Alcoholic Beverage                                                                
Control Board, the bill would enable the Marijuana Control Board to                                                             
benefit from the considerable experience and expertise of the                                                                   
Alcoholic Beverage Control Board while realizing significant                                                                    
economies.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Sincerely,                                                                                                                      
/s/                                                                                                                             
Bill Walker                                                                                                                     
Governor