Alaska Recreational Cannabis Rules Taking Shape

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Recreational marijuana shops in Alaska will likely be prohibited from giving away branded merchandise and coupons, and they could be required to install pricey security systems.

Those are just two points from new draft rules that the Alaska Marijuana Control Board is considering as the state prepares to launch its rec program next year, according to the Alaska Dispatch News.

The board, which met last week to go over the latest proposed regulations, hemmed and hawed over potential security requirements that could cost businesses six figures to meet.

While wanting to support strict security protocols, the board doesn’t want to make the cost of doing business prohibitive.

Board members also considered rules on marketing, advertising and product giveaways, but there was some sharp disagreement over how far such restrictions should reach.

Members struck down some onerous proposed regulations, such as one that would have required a vehicle transporting commercial marijuana to have a lockbox bolted to the floor. They also nixed a proposal to require recreational businesses to have a minimum of $1 million in insurance.