Yes, before initiating your application for a commercial marijuana license, please click on the link below. Be sure you have done the following: 

• Read the Final regulations as adopted and amended by the Marijuana Control Board
• Read the questions and answers on our Marijuana License Frequently Asked Questions
• Watch the entire training video on the Marijuana Application Process

On the Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office (AMCO) under Marijuana Application. Before initiating your application for a commercial marijuana license, please click on the link below. Be sure you have done the following:

• Read the Final regulations as adopted and amended by the Marijuana Control Board
• Read the questions and answers on our Marijuana License Frequently Asked Questions
• Watch the entire training video on the Marijuana Application Process

Licenses will be issued within 90 days of receipt of a completed application, as outlined in the statute and regulations. The exact date is dependent upon several factors including the 1) type of license applied for, 2) response time from local governments, and 3) the implementation of the marijuana inventory tracking system.

1. Type of license and completed application –AS 17.38.100(b) calls for the board to begin accepting and processing applications one year after the effective date of the act; therefore, applications will be accepted beginning on February 24, 2016. The board will grant or deny an application for a license within 90 days after a completed application is received. It is possible the Marijuana Control Board will issue testing facility and cultivation facility licenses first, with retail store and product manufacturing facility licenses to follow. This sequential issuing of license types may be necessary so the latter license types can have legally grown and tracked marijuana in their inventory before opening for business.
2. Response time from local governments – After the director of the Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office deems an application to be complete, staff will transmit the application to the local government with jurisdiction over the proposed licensed premises. The local government has 60 days from the date of receipt of the notice of the application to file a protest to the application or waive its right to protest. If a protest is received, the Marijuana Control Board will consider the application and protest at its next meeting.
3. Marijuana inventory tracking system – All marijuana license types will be required to use the State of Alaska-selected marijuana inventory tracking system to assure that marijuana sold in licensed retail stores was grown, produced and tested by licensed establishments. The board will not issue any licenses before the marijuana inventory tracking system is implemented; the anticipated date of implementation is May 23, 2016.

The Marijuana Control Board is not limited in the number of marijuana licenses it can issue at the state level. However, AS 17.38.110(b) provides that local governments can restrict the time, place, manner and number of marijuana licenses.

No, the regulations anticipate that the entire process will be conducted electronically, other than attachment of non-electronic documents such as payment and fingerprint cards. 3 AAC 306.020 states that the application must be initiated electronically; the completed application and fees may be filed electronically, or mailed, or delivered to the director at the office of the board.

By regulation, applications must be submitted electronically in order for applicants to demonstrate their capability to enter and submit data/documents electronically. All marijuana licensees are required to use the statewide marijuana inventory tracking system, which is electronic and requires a stable internet connection and basic computer literacy.

You may download and save the final regulations as amended and adopted by the Marijuana Control Board. Because of the length of the packet, if you choose to print the regulations you may want to consider printing two pages on one sheet of paper, i.e., the “booklet” option on your print properties screen.

The Department of Law is currently reviewing the regulations and will send them to Lt. Governor Mallott once their review is complete. The regulations will take effect 30 days after the Lt. Governor signs them into law. Lt. Governor Mallott will need to sign the regulations by January 24, 2016 in order for the Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office to begin accepting online applications by February 24, 2016, as outlined in AS 17.38.100(b).

Yes, with one exception—testing facility licenses are independent of all other license types. According to 3 AAC 306.610, a licensed marijuana testing facility may not have any licensee, employee, or agent who holds any type of marijuana establishment license other than a testing facility license.

Yes, except as set out in the previous question (Question 9).

The only location rules defined by the State of Alaska are the buffer zones set out in 3 AAC 306.010(a), which prohibit a marijuana establishment license from being issued within 500 feet of a school, recreation or youth center (defined in 3 AAC 306.900(35)), a building in which religious services are regularly conducted, or a correctional facility. Please see the regulation for instructions regarding how to measure the distance. All other zoning issues are locally established; contact your local government to inquire about zoning restrictions.

Prepare to submit your application—

1. Read 3 AAC 306 articles 1, 7, 8, 9 and the specific article(s) that pertains to the type of license(s) you plan to apply for. When you apply for a license, you are stating that you have read and understand all of the marijuana regulations, and are prepared to follow them.
2. Work on your operating plan. All license types are required to submit an operating plan with their application. Requirements for the operating plan are set forth in 3 AAC 306.020(c). The format in which the operating plan will have to be submitted will be approved by the Marijuana Control Board on February 11, 2016. In the meantime, you can begin drafting your operating plan based on the information requirements outlined in the regulations.
3. Attend the Marijuana Control Board meeting on February 11, 2016 in Juneau. A public call-in number will be available for those unable to attend in person.

It is not expected that the physical premises is 100% ready at the time the applicant initiates their application. The applicant must ensure however, that their finished facility matches what is laid out in their operating plan. The premises will undergo a preliminary inspection before operations begin.

It’s expected that cultivators will either start their plants from seeds, or from cuttings, only after receiving a license from the Marijuana Control Board (MCB). The source of the cultivators’ seeds or cuttings is not information that is required by regulation.

A home rule municipality is included in the definition of local government. Local governments have a right of protest under the regulations. Local governments can tax marijuana or charge fees for municipal licenses or permits.