News

The commercial marijuana industry is increasing demand for electricity in the Interior. Golden Valley Electric Association membership includes 47 licensed marijuana growers, who paid the co-op more than a half-million dollars for power over the past year.

Local elections like the one coming up on Oct. 3 are notorious for drawing low voter turnout. But observers say this year’s city and borough elections may be different, because the two marijuana-related propositions on the ballots are likely to draw more voters to the polls in what observers say will likely be a close election.

Two weeks from tomorrow, city and borough voters will decide whether to outlaw marijuana-related businesses in the two jurisdictions. Advocates and opponents of the two ballot measures that would outlaw pot growing and sales have ramped up their campaigns in recent weeks. Some of the concerns and issues both sides raise were reflected in comments by Fairbanks City Council members last Monday as they considered an application to open a retail cannabis shop.