Get a Medical Card

Cannabis in Alaska

Medical cannabis was legalized in Alaska in 1998, and recreational cannabis was legalized in 2014. However, there are no dispensaries with business licenses in Alaska for medical marijuana patients to purchase cannabis. Instead, patients and caregivers grow their own cannabis through a card registry program.

The first recreational cannabis sale in Alaska happened in 2016, and the state is in the process of issuing more adult-use licenses. Local municipalities can prohibit recreational cannabis licenses. Similarly, rules that allow on-site consumption at some licensed retailer locations went into effect in April 2019, but local governments can ban on-site consumption.

Overview of Key Alaska Cannabis Laws

Is medical cannabis allowed? Yes

Is adult-use cannabis allowed? Yes

Personal Laws

While not completely decriminalized, people in Alaska can possess and grow cannabis for medical and recreational use within certain limits without violating criminal laws. However, they may not consume cannabis in public unless they’re in a retailer location that has an on-site consumption license. Furthermore, people can gift up to one ounce of cannabis for personal use to someone who is age 21 or older.

Personal Possession

Overall Possession: Up to one ounce of marijuana

Personal Growing

Adults in Alaska are allowed to grow cannabis for non-commercial use. They may also gift up to six plants for personal use to adults age 21 or older.

Medical Growing: Up to 6 plants, but no more than 3 of those plants can be mature.

Recreational Growing: Up to 6 plants, but no more than 3 of those plants can be mature.

Medical Cannabis Patient Qualification and Registry

Patients and caregivers are required to register for a registry card with the state.

Qualifying medical conditions include:

  • Cachexia
  • Cancer
  • Chronic pain
  • Glaucoma
  • HIV or AIDS
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Nausea
  • Seizures

Business Laws

Vertical integration or “license stacking” is allowed among recreational cannabis businesses, which means a company can hold multiple licenses across the Alaska supply chain (e.g., both cultivation and dispensary licenses). Residency is required to apply for a cannabis business license in Alaska.

License Types

  1. Cultivation
  2. Limited Cultivation
  3. Manufacturer
  4. Extract Only Manufacturer
  5. Retailer
  6. Testing
  7. Marijuana Handler

License Fees

Cultivation: $1,000 application fee and $5,000 license fee

Limited Cultivation: $1,000 application fee and $1,000 license fee

Manufacturer: $1,000 application fee and $5,000 license fee

Extract Only Manufacturer: $1,000 application fee and $1,000 license fee

Retailer: $1,000 application fee and $5,000 license fee

Testing: $1,000 application fee and $1,000 license fee

Marijuana Handler: $50 permit card fee

License Timeline

Recreational licenses are currently open for dispensaries, cultivators, manufacturers, and testing labs with no limits set for any type of license at this time. Licenses must be renewed annually with a fee of $600.

Testing

Testing is required of all recreational cannabis and cannabis-related products sold in Alaska.

Training

Alaska does not require training for license holders.

Learn More about Cannabis in Alaska and How to Work or Start a Business in the Alaska Cannabis Industry

Leafy Green Agency offers a variety of certification seminars for people who want to start businesses, find jobs, get promotions, or invest in the cannabis industry in Alaska and across the country. Learn more about our educational seminars here.

Sources and More Information