Marijuana shop can stay open evenings

Wrangell’s marijuana shop can now stay open to 10 p.m., a change from 6 p.m. The borough assembly amended the closing-time law at its

May 25 meeting, effective the next day.

The change in municipal code passed unanimously, and there was no public testimony against the ordinance.

Kelsey Martinsen, owner of Happy Cannabis, said he may move to an 8 p.m. closing in June, then later extend to 10 p.m., though staying open later will depend on finding an employee to help at the shop.

The 6 p.m. closing was imposed by the assembly in 2017, soon after retail marijuana sales were legalized in Alaska. Martinsen opened his shop in April 2018.

State law allows shops to operate 21 hours a day, with a required closure between 5 and 8 a.m., but cities and boroughs can establish their own, more restrictive local hours.

Borough Manager Lisa Von Bargen told the assembly that Martinsen told her the average closing time statewide is 10 p.m., which is what she proposed to the assembly.