Alaska becomes 3rd state with legal marijuana

AP

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Alaska has become the third state in the U.S. to legalize the recreational use of marijuana.

A ballot measure approved by Alaska votes in November kicks in Tuesday, allowing adults 21 and older to possess up to an ounce of pot and up to six plants. Regulations for the sale of the drug still must be hammered out.

Smoking marijuana in public remains off-limits, and police officers in Alaska's largest city plan to strictly enforce the public ban.

Fear of people getting $100 fines for toking in public led an organizer to call off plans for a celebration party in downtown Anchorage.

Marijuana legalization supporters in Anchorage want the event to be low-key. They also plan to launch an advertising campaign recommending safe consumption, including ads on city buses.