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Alaska: Marijuana Bill Clears Alaska House

Matt Volz

Houston Chronicle

Saturday 06 May 2006

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JUNEAU, Alaska — The Alaska House passed legislation Friday night that
would restore criminal penalties for marijuana possession and make it
tougher to buy the ingredients to manufacture methamphetamine.

The bill was approved by the Senate last month and now goes to Gov.
Frank Murkowski to sign into law. Murkowski sought to change Alaska's
law on marijuana possession, which is considered the most liberal in the
country.

The Senate tacked on the marijuana provisions to legislation seeking to
curb the manufacture of methamphetamine.

The House voted 21-17 in favor of the bill, which would make pot
possession of 4 ounces or more a felony. Possession of less than 4
ounces but more than an ounce would be a misdemeanor, punishable by up
to a year in jail. Less than one ounce would be a misdemeanor punishable
by up to 90 days in jail.

Murkowski is seeking to overturn the landmark Alaska Supreme Court
decision that legalized the use of small amounts of marijuana.

The court concluded in 1975 that Alaskans' constitutional right to
privacy outweighed any harm that might occur from using a small amount
of marijuana in the home. State legislators set that amount at 4 ounces
in 1982.

The bill says marijuana is a more potent and dangerous drug than it was
30 years ago.

"Obviously we are pleased," said Kevin Jardell, the governor's
legislative liaison. "The governor worked real hard on this, it's
something he believes in. It's a good day for Alaska."

The American Civil Liberties Union of Alaska sent a letter to Attorney
General David Marquez on Friday saying the organization would sue for
injunctive relief if the bill becomes law.

"Plain and simple, you are attempting to further restrict the right to
privacy enjoyed by all Alaskans by enacting the marijuana provisions of
(the bill)," Director Michael Macleod-Ball wrote.

 

 

 

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