Could Alaska Legalize Recreational Marijuana Next?

A large group hopes so.

Alaska just took another step in following the footsteps laid out by Colorado and Washington

CNN reports that Campaign to Regulate Marijuana, a citizens' group in Alaska, is on a mission to have marijuana legalized for recreational purposes. Needing 30,000 verified signatures to make it onto the August state ballot, it handed over upwards of 45,000 to election officials yesterday.

"The proposed initiative will take marijuana sales out of the underground market and put them in legitimate, taxpaying businesses," sponsor Tim Hinterberger explained. 

The proposal would be permit adults 21 and over to legally grow, purchase and consume marijuana. Current Alaska law allows anyone with a medical marijuana prescription to legally grow up to six marijuana plants or posses up to an ounce. 

According to CNN, Hinterberger believes that this new initiative will give medicinal users more access, as well as open the door for recreational use. However, opponents are sticking to the typical argument regarding health concerns, as well as that good ol' "marijuana is a gateway drug" script.

Colorado just sold over $5 million worth of weed during its first week of legalization. Money talks, and makes other people listen. Alaska seems to be paying attention.

[via CNN]

RELATED: Twitter Reacts to the First Day of Legal Weed in Colorado 

Latest in Pop Culture