Fairbanks borough calls for another vote on pot cafe ban

In this file Aug. 20 photo, rows of cannabis plants are seen in the vegetative room of a cannabis farm in Juneau.

In this file Aug. 20 photo, rows of cannabis plants are seen in the vegetative room of a cannabis farm in Juneau.

FAIRBANKS — The Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly is set to vote on whether to reconsider a proposed moratorium on pot cafes in the city of Fairbanks.

The assembly in August placed a moratorium on cannabis cafes until mid-November, but it only applied in borough cities outside of Fairbanks. In a vote last week, the assembly rejected a measure that would have extended the moratorium to include Fairbanks.

Assemblyman Matt Cooper, who voted against the extension, has filed for reconsideration of the proposal. He cited concerns about how the assembly would react if the Alaska Marijuana Control Board approves regulations for on-site consumption at its meeting next month.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

The borough has been holding off on establishing planning and zoning rules for pot cafes until the state sets its own regulations. The borough’s Department of Community Planning is rejecting plans for retail stores with on-site consumption because state regulations have not yet been finalized, The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reported.

The assembly will decide on whether to take up the issue of the proposed pot cafe moratorium in Fairbanks later this month.

“It makes sense to take the opportunity to be cautious,” Cooper said. “We are on the cutting edge of on-site consumption.”

Cannabis cafes are not allowed to operate in any other state.

Read more news:

Juneau Housing First project gets more money, but still in hole

Suspect detained in fatal shooting near Anchorage schools 

SHI receives nearly $1 million to revitalize Alaska Native languages

More in News

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Aurora forecast through the week of Feb. 15

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute… Continue reading

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Wednesday, March 12, 2025

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

Gabriel von Eisenstein (David Cangelosi) is pulled in two separate directions by his wife Rosalinda (Sara Radke Brown, right) and Rosalinda’s maid, Adele (Kayla Kohlhase, left) during a dress rehearsal of “Die Fledermaus” on Wednesday, March 12, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Juneau Lyric Opera celebrates a chorus of community for 50th anniversary

German operetta “Die Fledermaus” that launched JLO gets revival with old and new voices Friday night.

The Cable Innovator docks in Juneau on Wednesday, March 13, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Subsea communications cable repair ship makes port stop in Juneau between Southeast projects

Cable Innovator wraps up work in Sitka, now heads for Angoon following regional outage.

The Office of Personnel Management in Washington. (Eric Lee/The New York Times)
Judge orders Trump administration to rehire thousands of fired workers; at least some to get back pay

Treasury, Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, Defense, Energy and Interior departments affected by order.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Tuesday, March 11, 2025

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Monday, March 10, 2025

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Sunday, March 9, 2025

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

Most Read