Alaska House to feds: Stay out of the state’s marijuana industry

Published: Mar 19, 2018, 5:30 pm • Updated: Mar 19, 2018, 5:31 pm

By The Associated Press

JUNEAU, Alaska — The Alaska House is asking the federal government not to interfere in state-authorized marijuana businesses.

The House voted 38-0 Monday to pass a nonbinding resolution asking the feds to respect Alaska’s authority to regulate marijuana use, production and distribution.

The resolution also urges the federal government to reconsider its listing of marijuana as a controlled substance.

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The measure next goes to the Senate, which has resisted consideration of a formal statement offered by Democratic Sen. Berta Gardner that pushes back against a shift in federal enforcement policy on the drug under U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

Sessions in January rescinded Obama-era guidance that limited federal enforcement of the drug, allowing for the cannabis industry to flourish in states that have legalized marijuana.

Marijuana remains illegal at the federal level.

Related: States mull “sanctuary” status for marijuana businesses