Apparently like this:
Posted on 06/03/2015 10:46:36 AM PDT by ConservingFreedom
NORTH POLE — Marijuana stores are welcome in the city with the motto “where the spirit of Christmas lives year round.”
The City Council on Monday rejected a measure that would have banned marijuana dispensaries in North Pole.
Even Santa Claus — yes, that’s his real name — spoke in favor of a marijuana store opening in the Christmas-themed community.
“As far as the image goes here at North Pole, how do most people perceive Santa Claus?” Claus said. “I would say Santa Claus is a pretty jolly fellow.
“I am a medical marijuana patient,” he said. “I would like to have access to medical marijuana here in North Pole and not have to travel to Fairbanks to get it.”
North Pole is the only community in the Fairbanks North Star Borough so far to formally consider the local option to prohibit marijuana sales.
The ordinance by Councilwoman Sharron Hunter failed to advance to a public hearing by a 2-5 vote following a lively debate.
Hunter and Councilwoman Elizabeth Holm provided the yes votes.
Mayor Bryce Ward said that if the residents of North Pole don’t want a pot dispensary, they won’t shop at one.
The soonest a cannabis store could open in Alaska is next year as the state continues to work on regulations for the new industry.
“Really letting the market dictate where it goes is a more appropriate setting,” Ward said. “I am not saying I am in favor of using marijuana. I never have been. What we are talking about is the commercialization of it. If shops opened up here, if it’s something this community doesn’t want, people aren’t going to shop there.”
North Pole Police Chief Steve Dutra said the number of arrests for pot possession in North Pole is down since possession of the plant for recreational use became legal in February.
North Pole previously had taken a hard line against pot, arresting people for possession instead of ticketing them — the practice in other jurisdictions.
Dutra said he’s seen no problems since the more-permissive law for personal consumption of cannabis went into effect.
“We’re not seeing any significant issues with it at this point,” the police chief said.
Hunter said she sponsored the ordinance in part because stores selling marijuana goes against the city’s Christmas theme.
“I think having visible retail marijuana sales does not fit in with that concept,” the councilwoman said. “Our image, who we are, is more important than the image that marijuana has.”
Hunter pointed out that voters in North Pole rejected the statewide ballot measure legalizing marijuana for recreational use. Hunter likened allowing marijuana sales to allowing gambling.
“We have to look beyond the money it will bring us,” she said.
Holm urged prohibiting marijuana sales so North Pole could be a haven for people, including recovering drug addicts, looking to avoid controlled substances.
Other council members pointed out that North Pole allows the sale of alcohol.
“We sell alcohol in this town,” said Councilman Kevin McCarthy. “We sell cigarettes in this town. We sell guns in this town. Where are you going to draw the line?”
Apparently like this:
Elves prefer alcohol.
I predict many cases of frostbite and freezing to death.
Good common-sense individualism. When someone brays, "This society doesn't want X" it means they're deathly afraid it does want X.
Why - are alcohol users getting frostbite and freezing to death in large numbers?
This is America. You’re free to live as I please.
Towns here in Alaska are all wrestling with pot legalization. Substance abuse is a huge problem, especially among the Native Alaskan population in the more remote areas. Many small towns and villages are dry now and, concerned about the effects of state legalization of pot, may elect to ban the drug from their municipality.
Both state and local governments are looking at budget shortfalls in coming years. Some towns are considering municipal pot operations to provide income to the local government.
Entrepreneurs are rushing in to take advantage of legalization, seeking to position themselves favorably before the state and local governments formulate the rules for implementation of the initiative.
Interesting times in the 49th state.
You wondered how reindeer fly.....
:)
Absolutely. I assume that's a rhetorical question, I doubt many are stupid enough not to know that.
Sure about that? “NOME, Alaska (AP) — Villagers from far-flung Eskimo communities where alcohol is banned regularly pour into this old Gold Rush town and its many bars and liquor stores — not just to drink, but to get plastered. [...] Over the past two decades, dozens have died of exposure” (http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-09-06-alaska_N.htm) Dozens over two decades is not a lot.
We’ve had pretty liberal MJ laws in Alaska for a while. If idiots want to do it, they are going to do it.
The law has been passed and not yet being implemented fully so places are struggling with it now.
Personally, if they want to fry their brains, let them. If they harm anyone else doing it, there should be hell to pay.
The study, in The Lancet, says 25% of Russian men die before they are 55, and most of the deaths are down to alcohol. The comparable UK figure is 7%.
Causes of death include liver disease and alcohol poisoning. Many also die in accidents or after getting into fights.
http://www.bbc.com/news/health-25961063
I'd suppose the Alaska stats are about the same.
If they harm anyone else while sober as a judge, there should be hell to pay.
Yep. I would expect no less. There are no exceptions to the harming of other people.
Just experience, brother, I’ll tell that drunks freeze to death.
Dopers do, too.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.