Does the state have a recreational use program?
Adults 21 and over can possess up to 1 ounce. You may cultivate up to 6 plants per household, with no more than 3 being mature. Recreational marijuana can only be purchased from licensed retailers. You may consume recreational marijuana in private, but not in public. You cannot smoke marijuana in a public place, including parks, beaches, and sidewalks. You cannot smoke marijuana within 200 feet of a school or playground. You cannot smoke marijuana in a workplace, unless your employer has a specific policy allowing it. You cannot give marijuana to minors.
Does the state have a medical program?
You must be 18 years old to be eligible for a medical card. Patients can possess up to 2 ounces of usable marijuana and can cultivate up to 12 plants, with no more than 6 being mature. Patients can cultivate their own medical marijuana or designate a primary caregiver to do so. Medical marijuana can only be purchased from licensed dispensaries. Patients can consume medical marijuana in private, but not in public.
What are qualifying medical conditions for eligibility?
There are over 20 qualifying conditions for medical marijuana in Alaska, including:
- Cancer: Any stage of cancer, including active or residual disease.
- Glaucoma: Any stage of glaucoma, including open-angle, closed-angle, or secondary glaucoma.
- HIV/AIDS: Any stage of HIV/AIDS, including AIDS-related complex (ARC).
- Cachexia: A medical condition characterized by severe weight loss and muscle wasting.
- Severe pain: Any pain that is chronic, intractable, and for which conventional therapies have been ineffective or are not tolerated.
- Severe nausea: Any nausea that is intractable and for which conventional therapies have been ineffective or are not tolerated.
- Seizures: Any type of seizure disorder that is chronic and for which conventional therapies have been ineffective or are not tolerated.
- Persistent muscle spasms: Any muscle spasm disorder that is chronic and for which conventional therapies have been ineffective or are not tolerated.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Any diagnosed case of PTSD that is chronic and for which conventional therapies have been ineffective or are not tolerated.
- Autism spectrum disorder: Any diagnosed case of autism spectrum disorder that is chronic and for which conventional therapies have been ineffective or are not tolerated.
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS): Any diagnosed case of ALS that is chronic and for which conventional therapies have been ineffective or are not tolerated.
- Crohn’s disease: Any diagnosed case of Crohn’s disease that is chronic and for which conventional therapies have been ineffective or are not tolerated.
- Rheumatoid arthritis: Any diagnosed case of rheumatoid arthritis that is chronic and for which conventional therapies have been ineffective or are not tolerated.
- Multiple sclerosis (MS): Any diagnosed case of MS that is chronic and for which conventional therapies have been ineffective or are not tolerated.
- Severe nausea or vomiting associated with chemotherapy or radiation treatment: Any nausea or vomiting that is severe and associated with chemotherapy or radiation treatment.
- Chronic pain associated with a terminal illness: Any chronic pain that is associated with a terminal illness and for which conventional therapies have been ineffective or are not tolerated.
- Any other chronic or debilitating medical condition that produces one or more of the following: severe pain, nausea, seizures, muscle spasms, cachexia, or severe weight loss.
Medical Program Limits:
The Alaska Medical Marijuana Program also has limits on the amount of THC that patients can possess. THC is the psychoactive compound in marijuana that produces the “high” feeling. The limits on THC are as follows:
- Oral: 100 milligrams of THC per day.
- Topical: 100 milligrams of THC per day.
- Other: 50 milligrams of THC per day.
These limits are for the total amount of THC that patients can possess, regardless of the form of marijuana that they are using. For example, if a patient is using a topical marijuana product that contains 50 milligrams of THC, they would not be able to use any other form of marijuana that day.
It is important to note that these limits are subject to change. The Alaska Medical Marijuana Program is constantly evolving, and the limits may be adjusted in the future. It is always best to check with the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development for the most up-to-date information.
Methods of Use:
Smoking, vaporizing, edible consumption, and topical use are all permitted.
Is there Home Delivery for Medical Cannabis?
Yes, home delivery of medical cannabis is allowed in Alaska. The Alaska Marijuana Control Board (AMCO) passed a rule in 2022 that allows licensed retailers to deliver cannabis to customers.
The rule requires that delivery drivers be 21 years old or older and have a valid driver’s license. They must also undergo a background check and drug test. Delivery drivers must also follow certain safety guidelines, such as not delivering to minors or to people who are intoxicated. The rule also limits the amount of cannabis that can be delivered in a single order. Patients can order up to 2 ounces of usable marijuana, and they can have up to 6 plants delivered to them at a time.
