Alaska has one of the longest-standing legal cannabis markets in the United States, allowing adults to legally access weed for both recreational and medical use under state regulation. This page explains how marijuana laws work in Alaska, including possession limits, consumption rules, sales regulations, and how state oversight applies to cannabis products today. For readers comparing Alaska’s laws with other regions, explore our broader resource on cannabis regulations by location, covering U.S. states, major cities, and countries worldwide in the Cannabis Laws by Location guide.
Table of Contents
Is marijuana legal in Alaska
Legal Status
- Medical Marijuana: Legal since 1998, following voter approval of Ballot Measure 8.
- Recreational Marijuana: Legal since February 2015, after the passage of Ballot Measure 2 (2014).
Possession and Use
- Adults 21+ may legally:
- Up to one ounce (28 grams) of marijuana in your possession.
- Grow up to 6 plants, with a maximum of 3 mature (flowering) plants per individual.
- Share or give away up to 1 ounce to another adult without compensation.
Consumption Rules
- Permitted: On private property with the owner’s permission.
- Prohibited: In public places, including parks, sidewalks, and businesses open to the public (punishable by fines).
- Driving Under Influence: Strictly illegal with severe penalties.
Sales and Regulation
- Controlled by the AMCO, the Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office.
- Licensed dispensaries sell marijuana flower, edibles, concentrates, and other cannabis products.
- Cultivation tax applied to wholesale transactions; no retail excise tax at point of sale.
Federal and Workplace Considerations
- Illegal on federal land (e.g., national parks, military bases).
- Employers may enforce drug-free policies regardless of state legality.
