There's this, although "legal" technically begins the night before, at the stroke of midnight...
SNIP:
"Richard “Ziggy” Zeigler is helping to organize a smoke-in, an event that is being called the “Idita-toke,” to protest the ban. Zeigler hopes thousands of people will turn out on the evening of Feb. 24 to light up downtown on Fourth Avenue."
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In Anchorage, residents plan for ‘Idita-toke’ while APD plans to enforce the law
By
Jacquie Slater 10:21 PM February 17, 2015
ANCHORAGE –
New marijuana laws mean the Anchorage Police Department will be on the lookout for people who want to break them.
With recreational marijuana consumption set to become legal on Feb. 24, APD says it’s ready to enforce the laws to ensure public safety.
“I know a lot of people think of us as pointing a finger all the time,” said APD spokesperson Jennifer Castro. “Do this and don’t do that. But I think what you have to consider is, what is the reason for us saying that?”
Operating under the influence, or OUI, has always been illegal and comes with steep consequences. After Colorado and Washington saw dramatic increases in arrests involving marijuana and driving following the legalization of recreational marijuana, law enforcement here in Alaska says they anticipate the same to happen.
APD wants to remind residents that just because pot will be legal, that doesn’t mean OUI laws are changing. First time offenders are sentenced to a minimum of three days in jail, have to pay a $1,500 fine and lose their driver’s license for 90 days. Second offenses carry up to 20 days in jail, a $3,000 fine and a one-year license suspension. Consequences elevate with each consecutive OUI arrest.
Police say drivers suspected of driving under the influence of marijuana will be asked to perform standard field sobriety tests. If a person fails those tests, they are placed under arrest and asked to submit a breath test. If a driver tests negative for alcohol but officers still suspect the person is impaired, a drug recognition expert, or DRE, is called in to further evaluate the suspect.
DREs look for signs of drug impairment, such as decreased motor coordination, increased heart rate, red eyes, slurred speech and drowsiness. A DRE may request a blood sample to test for marijuana, and if the suspect refuses, officers may seek a warrant to perform a drug test.
Currently, the APD has four DRE-certified officers. The department hopes to have more officers certified should they see an increase in OUI activity.
APD also says it will be enforcing the ordinance passed by the Municipality of Anchorage that bans the consumption of
pot in public places. The pot ban says anyone caught consuming or smoking pot in a public place will be fined $100.
Many marijuana advocates say the ban goes against the wishes of those who voted for marijuana legalization.
Richard “Ziggy” Zeigler is helping to organize a smoke-in, an event that is being called the “Idita-toke,” to protest the ban. Zeigler hopes thousands of people will turn out on the evening of Feb. 24 to light up downtown on Fourth Avenue.
“I would hope that those who really feel strongly about this wanna exercise their freedom that day,” Zeigler said. ”Just to celebrate that we have a right to do it now.”
Zeigler says the smoke-in will be a civilized demonstration. When told that APD plans to ticket anyone who smokes in public that night, Zeigler says the fine is a small price to pay to enjoy a day of freedom.