In 2015, Alaska passed a law re-legalizing marijuana for medical use by AIDS and cancer patients.

Now, in 2020, millions of people confess to smoking cannabis for both recreational and medical reasons.

Legalizing cannabis has given life to pot dispensaries across the nation. There are a little over seven thousand pot dispensaries in the United States. About ninety-three of those are Alaskan and Anchorage cannabis dispensaries.

With so many cannabis shops available, it can be hard to know how to choose the best one in your area.

Whether you’re just visiting Anchorage or a resident who’s curious about where to get the best weed, check out this complete Anchorage cannabis guide.

Is Cannabis Legal in Alaska?

Alaska legalized marijuana back in 1975. Leagues ahead of its time before California even considered making it legal.

However, it was re-criminalized a few years later and stayed that way until the mid-2000s.

Now, Alaska has a fully legalized marijuana system where you can get a card, buy, sell, and even grow pot in your house.

Medical Marijuana Laws

The Controlled Substances chapter of Alaskan law regulates medical marijuana. This chapter states that medical marijuana is used for both recreational and for medical purposes.

Though, there are specific rules and regulations set in place for anchorage cannabis consumption.

For instance, you cannot enter a dispensary without a medical marijuana card prescribed by a doctor. You also cannot carry, store, or grow as much pot as you want.

There are legal amounts that you must follow:

  • Carry amount: 1oz or less
  • Amount kept at home: 1-4 oz
  • Number of plants grown at home: Up to six (only three can be mature)

Note that if the law catches you carrying or growing above the limit, you are subject to misdemeanors, felonies, and incarceration. You also cannot legally sell marijuana without the proper licensing.

These limits ensure that cannabis stays out of the hands of drug dealers and underage youths.

Do I Qualify for Medical Marijuana?

To qualify for a medical marijuana card, you must visit your doctor with a reasonable excuse for a prescription.

Those who qualify are:

  • Anyone with a painful or debilitating disease
  • Cancer patients
  • AIS/HIV patient
  • People with fibromyalgia
  • People with endometriosis
  • Glaucoma
  • People with back or muscle pain
  • People with depression

The list is not inclusive. There is a range of diseases that qualify. If you have any pain at all, it is a good idea to try other remedies before asking your doctor for a prescription.

Your doctor will likely ask if you have tried anything else. So, truthfully telling them that other prescriptions such as NSAIDS have not alleviated your pain will help you get your card.

What To Look for in a Cannabis Dispensary

Since medical marijuana cannot be legally prescribed and distributed at a hospital, clinic, or any other medical care facility, Anchorage cannabis dispensaries act as the middle man.

These shops carry a wide range of cannabis and products related to smoking weed.

If you find a good one, it could be your new favorite place to visit packed full of friendly staff, ambiance, and, of course, your favorite strains.

Ambiance

Does your dispensary set the mood? It’s always pleasant to visit a location that has ambient lighting, music, and overall aesthetic. These factors enhance your experience no matter where you shop.

You should also pay attention to the state of their store. If their merchandise display is sloppy, messy, or in a disorderly fashion, that could show how they run the dispensary.

Staff Knowledge

Ask the staff questions to test their cannabis knowledge. The more educated the more you can trust the dispensary.

While it isn’t required that people who work at dispensaries undergo training, they should still have to prove they know about medical marijuana.

You are going to have questions about all of the different kinds of strains, their properties, their prices, and a lot more.

It speaks volumes about the dispensary if they educate their staff and only hire the best people for the job. If a dispensary has employees who don’t seem to know anything or can’t answer your questions, maybe that isn’t the dispensary for you.

Safety Regulations

Along with staff knowledge comes the education for safety regulations. The staff should be up to speed with all health and safety laws.

The best way to establish this would be to find a licensed dispensary.

Whatever dispensary you choose, do some research to see if they have a license to sell. State law mandates dispensaries need licensing so they can regulate and undergo government inspections.

If a shop is unlicensed, chances are they do not follow any health laws or abide by the medical marijuana laws required by the state. No license means no health standards for their products.

For all you know, you could be buying bud tainted with pesticides.

Broad Menu of Strains

Chances are, you will want to try a variety of strains. There’s no fun in sticking to one or two, right? Find a dispensary with several different choices so you can find your new favorite.

Good Prices and Quality

The best cannabis comes at a high price, usually. However, if you do your research and are knowledgeable enough about the type of strain you want, you should be able to find a dispensary with competitive pricing.

Do They Deliver?

We live in pandemic times. This means, going into a dispensary may not be on our list of things we want to do right now.

If you are uncomfortable going in public, find a shop and see and if they offer delivery or curbside pick up.

Look at Reviews

People are honest in their reviews. They will tell you upfront whether or not the staff was friendly, the quality of the product, and the state of the store. If you aren’t sure about a certain shop, find some reviews.

Read the bad ones first and find the commonalities between them. The central complaint should be your focus.

Best Anchorage Cannabis Dispensary

Finding the best anchorage cannabis dispensary could be challenging.

Alaska Green Light dispensary offers all of the desired attributes you could ever want in an anchorage cannabis shop.

We offer a selection of strains, edibles, and related products all of the highest quality in anchorage, Alaska.

If you are in the area, we would love to see you and help with any of your cannabis needs. Please, take a look at our menu, and come on down to visit us today!

“Marijuana has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming and addictive. Marijuana impairs concentration, coordination, and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under its influence. There are health risks associated with consumption of marijuana. For use only by adults twenty-one and older. Keep out of reach of children. Marijuana should not be used by women who are pregnant or breast feeding.”