Borough should wait on marijuana licensing

To the editor,

A problem could be created when confusion follows the shutdown of commercial marijuana business if the Borough allows them for this summer and the October 4, 2016 voter initiative bans them. To fix this problem, the Borough Assembly should delay commercial marijuana licensing until after October 4.

Sometime this summer and through the fall, the State will begin to issue permits and allow commercial marijuana businesses to operate in response to Ballot Measure 2. The Borough Assembly is likewise considering Ordinance 16-003 which amends Borough code to add permit requirements and standards for Marijuana facilities within the Borough. This ordinance is necessary to protect Borough residents’ property values from the impact of new marijuana businesses if and when they are legally allowed in the Borough.

Although Ballot Measure 2 passed statewide, the Matanuska-Susitna Borough voted against it by 52 percent. Combine this fact with the new ballot initiative, and strong reason is given to delay commercial activity until October 4, 2016.

If the Assembly does not act to delay commercial marijuana business activity until after October 4, they will be ignoring the majority of MSB voters who voted against Ballot Measure 2. If the sponsor, Assemblyman Sykes from District 1, does not vote for a temporary ban, he will be acting against the voting results in 5 out of 6 precincts in District 1on Ballot Measure 2 and ignoring the 1,098 registered Borough voters who signed the ballot initiative.

If MSB commercial marijuana businesses are banned by the ballot initiative after being allowed this summer, a 90-day termination notice will be given to them to cease their activities. This may require additional oversight paid for by the taxpayer to ensure that the voters’ intentions are enforced and will most likely invite confusion. Prospective businesses have publicly testified they plan to use this loophole to get footing for grandfather rights.

It’s my opinion that the best way to proceed would be for the Borough Assembly to hold back on issuing permits until after the voters have spoken. This path would remove the potential conflicts between businesses and voters and ensure a solid path forward. Those that want their voice heard on this issue need to speak at the Assembly chambers of the Palmer Borough building on April 5 at 6 p.m. during audience participation.

Brian Endle

Assembly District 1 candidate

Palmer