Although you have to contend with icy temperatures and perhaps the odd wild bear or maybe moose, there’s one major fringe benefit for pot proponents living, loving and heading to the frozen north – cannabis use is legal in Alaska, and has been in some capacity since 1975, when the Alaskan Supreme Court ruled in Ravin v. State that Ravin had the right to possess, cultivate, and consume small amounts of cannabis at home, a major win for cannabis users state wide. This northern state is well-populated with lovers of Alaska cannabis seeds, too!
Alaska and Cannabis Go Hand in Hand
First of all, can you imagine experiencing the Northern Lights while high on Northern Lights? Known for gorgeous vistas (a good million folks set out on an Alaskan cruise every summer), fantastic salmon, and the occasional polar bear sighting, the Alaskan cannabis community is probably most proud of their namesake strain – Alaskan Thunder F*ck (aka ATF). This potent sativa originated in the Matanuska Valley, and you’ll find different versions as you travel across the state.
The Alaska Cannabis Scene
In Anchorage. you can grow your own Alaska cannabis seeds at home.
In 2015, Ballot Measure 2 allowed adults 21 and over the right to possess up to one ounce of cannabis, as well as to cultivate up to six plants for personal use. But 2017 marked the first year where cannabis dispensaries opened their doors to the public. You can get high on your own supply in the comfort of your own home, or even hotel room (for business trippers and vacationers), but reconsider that toke while you’re taking in some of that gorgeous Alaskan scenery: public use is still frowned upon.
Next (or should it be the first?) stop on your Alaskan cannabis tour is one of the local cannabis shops to check out their wares. Make sure to carry some ID, since Alaskan law requires every business to check. A lot of the shops list their menu on their website, so you can have idea of what you want before you get there, but for the most part, a friendly and knowledgeable budtender should be on hand to help you pick out exactly what you’re looking for.
Ever wondered about this weird side effect?
“Cannabis and the Munchies”
Card-Holders and Alaskan Medical Cannabis
Even though the laws around cannabis use have been pretty lax in Alaska for decades, medical cannabis was only legalized in 1998. With no dispensaries open at the time, locals were likely to visit the Alaska Cannabis Club, where experts connect patients with places to purchase cannabis, or the Clubhouse in Anchorage, where members are allowed to toke up on property. Fast fact, you can gift and receive up to an ounce of cannabis. The more you know!
Alaska is basically an endless stretch of beautiful scenery
Cultivating Cannabis in Alaska
It might be a bit harder for patients to get their hands on the medical cannabis they need (shops don’t offer discounts), but there’s some good news for growers: Alaskan patients are allowed to have a primary and secondary caregiver grow and hold marijuana for them – the more the merrier!
For awhile there, Alaskan residents were allowed to grow up to 25 plants – you read that right! But that number changed when the laws changed in 2014, and now locals can have up to six plants, three of which can be mature (nearing harvest) at any given time.
Since northern temperatures can be temperamental, you’re best bet is to set up an indoor grow room for your herb garden, and to plant only the best Alaska cannabis seeds to ensure you always harvest the best quality cannabis. See how you like these popular strains:
