North Pole considers ban on pot sales

Published 12:59 pm Saturday, January 17, 2015

FAIRBANKS, Alaska — The Christmas-themed town of North Pole, Alaska, may not put any bows on a marijuana retail stores.

The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reported the city council is about to consider a ban on the sale of marijuana.

The draft ordinance says pot retail stories don’t reflect the values of the city, where light poles are shaped like candy canes.

Council members will discuss the draft ordinance at a work session Thursday; public testimony won’t be taken..

Alaska voters in November approved the recreational use of marijuana, which becomes legal Feb. 24. However, the state has nine months from that date to write regulations for the sale of pot, and local governments can opt out.

While the proposal from Councilwoman Sharron Hunter would prohibit marijuana sales, personal use would be allowed.