First are likely to open this summer

Alaska lawmakers and regulators signed off on provisions to allow adults to consume cannabis at specially licensed retail locations. 

The state now has controlling authority to issue consumption lounge licenses statewide.

Under its new rules, which take effect April 11, 2019, licensed cannabis retailers may apply with state regulators for an additional “on-site consumption endorsement.”

The soonest regulators could begin approving the new state licenses is this summer. Local governments may challenge the applications in certain instances, or initiate a municipal vote to limit on-site activities. 

Consumption lounges: Evolving social policy

Alaska is the first adult use jurisdiction to establish and license such regulations statewide.

Meanwhile, some localities – such as Denver Colorado, Anchorage Alaska and West Hollywood, California – already regulate on-site consumption sites, points out Carly Wolf, NORML State Policies Coordinator. Other locations operate under the radar.

California’s Proposition 64 says that localities can allow on-site consumption and leaves it at that.