Alaska Allowing Curbside & Drive-Thru Cannabis Sales

Alaska Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer (R) has signed off on emergency pandemic regulations allowing cannabis curbside sales and allowing cannabis products to be transported by commercial plane or boat, Alaska Public Media reports. The changes allow customers to place orders by phone or online and pick them up outside of the business, similar to a drive-through.

Business owners who want to provide curbside or window pickup services are required to apply for a state license and submit operation plans.

“Stores providing essentials, such as groceries and pharmaceuticals, are implementing stricter measures to maintain physical distance and increasing the availability of drive-through and curbside pickup. The Marijuana Control Board anticipates that so long as patrons are able to enter the premises of licensed marijuana retail stores for purchasing, it is necessary to take every possible step to protect the health and safety of those patrons and employees by providing purchasing opportunities that minimize physical distance between patrons and employees.” – Filed Emergency Regulations: Marijuana Control Board Memorandum, April 17, 2020

The agency said the changes allowing cannabis products to be transported on commercial plans and boats are necessary to “halt the need for travel by employees and agents” of cannabusinesses. The rules require products to be delivered directly to the carrier by someone who is employed by or an agent of a cannabis licensee and picked up by an employee or agent of a licensee.

Alaska’s public health disaster emergency for coronavirus was declared on March 11. The emergency rules will remain in effect for 120 after they were signed into law.