Fairbanks votes to allow up to 25 cannabis retail shops

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) - The number of retail cannabis shops within Fairbanks city limits has been set at 25.

The Fairbanks City Council tied 3-3 Monday on whether to allow 15 or 25 retail shops. Fairbanks Mayor Jim Matherly was called in to break the tie and voted to set the limit at 25, the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reported .

Matherly opted to give all entrepreneurs who have initiated retail license reviews with the state opportunities to appear before the city council, instead of potentially blocking some businesses. A limit of 15 likely would have barred some from opening. As many as 19 businesses are seeking the licenses.

“It accommodates every person in the hopper,” Matherly said.

The shop limit was one of many tie-breaking votes that Matherly cast at the meeting.

Ultimately, the council adopted a heavily amended substitute ordinance proposed by council members Jerry Cleworth and June Rogers.

The ordinance bans onsite cannabis consumption and gives Fairbanks different buffer zones than those set by the state and borough. A buffer zone of 750 feet (228 meters) was established for a variety of residential zoning areas, schools, and drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers.

Language was also added to the ordinance that requires marijuana cultivation facilities to install Fairbanks Building Department-approved air-filtration systems and gives the building department authority to investigate odor complaints.

As discussion on the ordinance wrapped up, Matherly characterized both the cannabis industry and corresponding regulations as infants.

“This isn’t the last you’re going to hear of our cannabis ordinance,” he said.

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Information from: Fairbanks (Alaska) Daily News-Miner, http://www.newsminer.com