Alaska Marijuana Decriminalization Initiative (2000)

From Ballotpedia

Alaska Marijuana Decriminalization Initiative appeared on the November 2000 ballot in Alaska. It was also known as Ballot Measure 5. The measure was defeated, with 40% in favor. ^[1] It was a citizen-sponsored initiative.

The wording for the initiative said:

"An act to re-legalize hemp. This bill would do away with civil and criminal penalties for persons 18 years or older who use marijuana, or other hemp products. These products include hemp used for paper, fiber, food, fuel, medicine, or personal use in private. Marijuana would be regulated like an alcoholic beverage. Doctors could prescribe marijuana. The bill allows for laws limiting marijuana use in some cases to protect public safety. It grants amnesty to persons convicted in the past of marijuana crimes. The bill creates an advisory group to study restitution for those persons. Should this initiative become law?

Supporters

The 2000 initiative was an attempt to roll back the legal situation for marijuana possession in Alaska to its pre-1990 level, when voters recriminalized it. Prior to 1990, possession of up to four ounces for personal use was legal in Alaska, although the federal government had different laws. The pre-1990 rules in Alaska about marijuana were set up a 1975 decision of the Alaska Supreme Court, which wrote, "Our territory and now state has traditionally been the home of people who prize their individuality and who have chosen to settle or to continue living here in order to achieve a measure of control over their own lifestyles which is now virtually unattainable in many of our sister states."

Four groups campaigned for the measure, most prominently the organization Free Hemp in Alaska, led by Al Anders.^[2],^[3]

See also

• Alaska 2000 ballot measures

References

1. ↑ Alaska 2000 election results
2. ↑ Alaska voters to consider hemp legalization
3. ↑ Washington Post, "Targeting the Drug War, Drug War Is in Fight of Its Life; Wealthy Trio Takes Aim With California Initiative to End Penalties for Users", October 29, 2000

v • d • e Ballot measures about marijuana on the Alaska ballot Alaska Marijuana Criminalization Initiative (1990) • Alaska Medical Marijuana Act (1998) • Alaska Marijuana Decriminalization Initiative (2000) • Alaska Legalize Marijuana Act (2004)

---

	v • d • e Alaska ballot initiatives and referenda
Laws	Alaska ballot access laws • History of I&R in Alaska • Signature requirements • All ballot measures including referrals
2000-2009	Property Taxes ('00) • Marijuana ('00) • Land-And-Shoot Referendum • Run-Off Voting ('02) • Move Legislature ('02) • Gas Pipeline ('02) • Marijuana ('04) • Bear Baiting ('04) • Replacement of U.S. Senators ('04) • Campaign Finance ('06) • Shipping Tax ('06) • 90-Day Legislative Session ('06) • Gasline Now! ('06) • Gambling ('08) • Wolves and Bears ('08) • Clean Elections ('08) • Clean Water ('08)
1990-1999	Gambling ('90) • Railroad ('90) • Marijuana ('90) • Capital Wasilla ('94) • Cost of Capital Move ('94) • Term Limits ('94) • Airborne Hunting ('96) • Term Limits ('96) • Wolf Snares ('98) • Marijuana ('98) • Term Limits ('98) • English Official Language ('98) • No Billboards ('98)
1980-1989	Stock Ownership ('80) • Fish and Game ('82) • Abortion Funding ('82) • Federal Land ('82) • Transportation Regulation ('84) • Nuclear Weapons Freeze ('86) • Higher Education ('88) • Civil Liability ('88)
1970-1979	State Capital Relocation ('74) • Campaign Disclosure ('74) • Fishery Permits ('76) • Compensation Referendum • Bottle Bill ('78) • Homesteading ('78) • Cost of Capital Relocation ('78)
1960-1969	Cook Inlet State Capital ('60) • Relocate State Capital ('62) Voter Registration Referendum ('68)