Prof. Jason Brandeis article examines status of marijuana laws after election

Prof. Jason Brandeis, Justice faculty, examines different scenarios that may unfold regarding federal enforcement of marijuana laws under President Donald Trump and newly appointed Attorney General Jeff Sessions in, “Status of marijuana law confused by election.” The article appears in the January–March 2017 edition of Alaska Bar Rag, a publication of the Alaska Bar Association. Prof. Brandeis provides a look at how the “fragile truce” that has been established between the federal government and states that have legalized marijuana may or may not hold in the coming years.

Prof. Brandeis teaches courses on the American legal system, constitutional law, and civil liberties, and is a frequent speaker on constitutional law and other legal topics.  Prof. Brandeis also maintains a private law practice through which he advises clients on marijuana law and policy questions.  This law practice preceded this publication, and included providing legal services to the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol in Alaska.

Prof. Brandeis is presenter at Marijuana Business Law in Alaska legal seminar December 9

Prof. Jason Brandeis, J.D., Legal Studies faculty in the Justice Center, was a presenter at the National Business Institute (NBI) seminar, "Marijuana Business Law in Alaska," held in Anchorage on December 9, 2016.

He presented "Federal Responses to Alaska Marijuana Law" which explained the relationship between state and federal marijuana laws and discussed possible changes to federal marijuana law and policy under a new presidential administration. Prof. Brandeis also gave a presentation titled "Alaska Attorney Ethics and Marijuana Legalization" which covered topics such as marijuana and the Rules of Professional Conduct, attorney use of cannabis products, and attorney ownership of cannabis businesses.

Prof. Brandeis teaches courses on the American legal system, constitutional law, and civil liberties, and is a frequent speaker on constitutional law and other legal topics.  Prof. Brandeis also maintains a private law practice through which he advises clients on marijuana law and policy questions.  This law practice preceded this presentation, and included providing legal services to the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol in Alaska. 

Prof. Brandeis speaks on marijuana law at APU MBA Business & Health Ethics intensive November 12

Prof. Jason Brandeis, J.D., Legal Studies faculty in the Justice Center, spoke at APU on November 12 about the impact and implications of the legalization of marijuana for the business community in Alaska.  His presentation was at the Three-Day Intensive for Business Ethics and Health Ethics  that is part of the APU MBA program.  Maria Bahr, J.D., Bar Counsel for the Alaska Bar Association is the coordinator for the intensive.

Prof. Brandeis teaches courses on the American legal system, constitutional law, and civil liberties, and is a frequent speaker on constitutional law and other legal topics.  Prof. Brandeis also maintains a private law practice through which he advises clients on marijuana law and policy questions.  This law practice preceded this presentation, and included providing legal services to the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol in Alaska. 

Dr. Rivera discusses recent Forum article on youth marijuana and prescription drug abuse at State Epidemiology Workgroup

L to r: Dr. Marny Rivera and Claire Schieder,
Department of  Health and Social Services;
chair of the State Epidemiological Workgrop.

Dr. Marny Rivera, Justice Center faculty, was invited to the State Epidemiological Workgroup (SEW) meeting on October 12 to discuss her research, including an article in the recent issue of the Alaska Justice Forum, which looks at Anchorage adults' perceptions and attitudes toward youth abuse of marijuana and non-medical use of prescription drugs. 

The State Epidemiological Workgroup (SEW) is under the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), Division of Behavioral Health (DBH), and is funded by the Alaska Strategic Prevention Framework State Incentive Grant.  SEW is responsible for developing a systematic, scientific process to determine state prevention priorities related to substance use consumption, consequences and influences.

Read the Alaska Justice Forum article, "Youth Marijuana and Prescription Drug Abuse in Anchorage." Dr. Cory R. Lepage, Justice faculty, is a co-author of the article with Dr. Rivera. The Alaska Justice Forum is the research journal of the UAA Justice Center and is published 3 times per year. Subscribe to the Alaska Justice Forum.

Prof. Brandeis publishes article on marijuana legalization in Alaska Bar Association Bar Rag

Prof. Jason Brandeis, J.D., Legal Studies faculty in the Justice Center, published an article in the latest issue of the official publication of the Alaska Bar Association, The Alaska Bar Rag.  In his article, "Marijuana legalization in Alaska: It's about to get real," Prof. Brandeis discusses the complicated developments around marijuana regulation in Alaska.  He notes, "All of this sets an interesting backdrop for the State of Alaska, which will begin to see the direct results of shifting marijuana laws and policies this fall as legal, regulated commercial marijuana transactions begin."

Read the full article:
"Marijuana legalization in Alaska: It's about to get real,"  Jason Brandeis. The Alaska Bar Rag, July - September 2016.


Prof. Brandeis teaches courses on the American legal system, constitutional law, and civil liberties, and is a frequent speaker on constitutional law and other legal topics.  Prof. Brandeis also maintains a private law practice through which he advises clients on marijuana law and policy questions.  This law practice preceded this radio panel discussion, and included providing legal services to the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol in Alaska. 

Tonight: Prof. Brandeis presents Oct 18 at Alaska Common Ground event on the future of marijuana, coffee, and beer industries in Alaska

Prof. Jason Brandeis, J.D., Legal Studies faculty in the Justice Center, will be a panelist at the October 18 Alaska Common Ground event: "Bud, Brew, and Beer: The emergence of marijuana, coffee and beer industries in Alaska." He will be discussing an overview of the marijuana industry and potential impacts of legalization on Alaska's fiscal and economic future.
What: North to the Future event  -"Bud, Brew, and Beer"
When: Tuesday, October 18, 2016 -- 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Where:  49th State Brewing Company, 717 W. 3rd Avenue, Anchorage
Admission:  Free

This event is part of a series of free lectures  - "North to the Future: Keeping Us from Heading South" - presented by Alaska Common Ground and Nerd Nite to explore Alaska's future economy.

Prof. Brandeis teaches courses on the American legal system, constitutional law, and civil liberties, and is a frequent speaker on constitutional law and other legal topics.  Prof. Brandeis also maintains a private law practice through which he advises clients on marijuana law and policy questions.  This law practice preceded this presentation, and included providing legal services to the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol in Alaska.

Prof. Brandeis presents Oct 18 at Alaska Common Ground event on the future of marijuana, coffee, and beer industries in Alaska

Prof. Jason Brandeis, J.D., Legal Studies faculty in the Justice Center, will be a panelist at the October 18 Alaska Common Ground event: "Bud, Brew, and Beer: The emergence of marijuana, coffee and beer industries in Alaska." He will be discussing an overview of the marijuana industry and potential impacts of legalization on Alaska's fiscal and economic future.

What: North to the Future event  -"Bud, Brew, and Beer"
When: Tuesday, October 18, 2016 -- 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Where:  49th State Brewing Company, 717 W. 3rd Avenue, Anchorage
Admission:  Free

This event is part of a series of free lectures  - "North to the Future: Keeping Us from Heading South" - presented by Alaska Common Ground and Nerd Nite to explore Alaska's future economy.

Prof. Brandeis teaches courses on the American legal system, constitutional law, and civil liberties, and is a frequent speaker on constitutional law and other legal topics.  Prof. Brandeis also maintains a private law practice through which he advises clients on marijuana law and policy questions.  This law practice preceded this presentation, and included providing legal services to the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol in Alaska.

Prof. Brandeis participates in KUCB radio panel discussion on Unalaska commercial marijuana referendum

Prof. Jason Brandeis, J.D., Legal Studies faculty in the Justice Center, recently participated in a live call-in panel discussion on KUCB Radio 89.7 FM Unalaska Community Broadcasting about the upcoming commercial marijuana referendum in Unalaska in October of this year.  Other panelists included Unalaska Assistant City Manager Erin Reinders and Public Safety Director Mike Holman.

The focus of the program was the October referendum which seeks to repeal a current ordinance banning state-licensed marijuana businesses in Unalaska.

Listen to the full broadcast here - it originally aired 09 Sep 2016:
Unalaska's Commercial Marijuana Referendum: A Conversation with City Officials hosted by reporter Laura Kraegel, KUCB

Prof. Brandeis teaches courses on the American legal system, constitutional law, and civil liberties, and is a frequent speaker on constitutional law and other legal topics.  Prof. Brandeis also maintains a private law practice through which he advises clients on marijuana law and policy questions.  This law practice preceded this radio panel discussion, and included providing legal services to the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol in Alaska.

Dr. Rivera interviewed by KTUU Channel 2 News regarding research about adults' perceptions of youth use of marijuana and prescription drugs

Dr. Marny Rivera, Justice Center faculty, was interviewed about her  research and an article in the recent issue of the Alaska Justice Forum, which looks at Anchorage adults' perceptions and attitudes toward youth abuse of marijuana and non-medical use of prescription drugs.  Dr. Cory R. Lepage, Justice faculty, is a co-author of the article with Dr. Rivera .

View the full KTUU story here:
"Teen prescription drug concerns higher than marijuana" by Mallory Peebles.  KTUU Channel 2 News. 27 Sep 2016.

Click here for a link to the Alaska Justice Forum article, "Youth Marijuana and Prescription Drug Abuse in Anchorage." 

The Alaska Justice Forum is the research journal of the UAA Justice Center and is published 3 times per year. To subscribe to the Alaska Justice Forum, send an email to editor@alaska.edu with "Forum" in the subject line.

Spring 2016 of the Alaska Justice Forum released

The Spring 2016 issue of the Alaska Justice Forum includes articles focusing on University of Alaska students' disclosures of sexual misconduct and sexual assault victimizations; a summary of the provisions of the criminal justice reform measure Senate Bill 91 "Omnibus Criminal Law & Procedure; Corrections" enacted into law in July 2016 ; and findings from a survey of Anchorage adults on perceptions of youth marijuana use and youth non-medical use of prescription drugs.

"University of Alaska Students’ Disclosures of Sexual Misconduct and Sexual Assault Victimizations" by Brad A. Myrstol and Lindsey Blumenstein

This article uses data collected for the University of Alaska Campus Climate Survey to explore how often University of Alaska (UA) students who experienced sexual misconduct or sexual assault, either on or off campus, disclosed their victimizations to others. The likelihood of victimization disclosure in relation to the type of victimization, the persons or institutions to whom disclosure was made, and the demographic characteristics of UA student victims are also examined.

"Senate Bill 91: Summary of Policy Reforms"

This article highlights provisions of Senate Bill 91, "Omnibus Criminal Law & Procedure; Corrections Act," related to the recommendations of the Alaska Criminal Justice Commission. SB91 was signed into law on July 11, 2016.

"Youth Marijuana and Prescription Drug Abuse in Anchorage"
by Marny Rivera and Cory R. Lepage

This article examines results of the Adult Perceptions of Anchorage Youth: 2015 Survey (APAYS) to examine perceptions and concerns of Anchorage adults, both parents and non-parents, about youth marijuana use and youth non-medical use of prescription drugs. A resource list is included.

"New Staff"

Elaine Main has joined the staff of the Justice Center as an Academic Program Specialist.

"New Look and Web Addresses for the Justice Center"

The Justice Center, the Alaska Justice Statistical Analysis Center (AJSAC), and the Alaska Justice Information Center (AJIC), have new web addresses and a new look to their web pages as part of the new UAA website redesign.

Prof. Brandeis presents on complying with federal and state marijuana laws at CannaCon conference

Prof. Jason Brandeis, J.D, was a speaker at the CannaCon conference held September 10 in Anchorage. His presentation, "Compliance with State and Federal Marijuana Laws: Navigating the Legal Landscape," provided attendees with an overview of the current federal and state marijuana laws - with a focus on Alaska - and information about potential future marijuana law and policy changes.

Prof. Brandeis teaches courses on the American legal system, constitutional law, and civil liberties, and is a frequent speaker on constitutional law and other legal topics.  Prof. Brandeis also maintains a private law practice through which he advises clients on marijuana law and policy questions.  This law practice preceded this presentation, and included providing legal services to the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol in Alaska.

Prof. Brandeis presents at Alaska Bar program on legal challenges surrounding Alaska marijuana industry

Prof. Jason Brandeis, J.D., Legal Studies faculty in the Justice Center, was a presenter and panelist at the April 20 Alaska Bar Association continuing legal education program, "Navigating the Legal Challenges Surrounding the Alaska Marijuana Industry."

He presented on the following topics:

• Introduction to the Marijuana Industry and Alaska's Regulation of the Industry;
• Understanding the Interplay Between Federal, State, and Local Laws Governing the Marijuana Industry; and
• Navigating the Challenges That Arise When Representing Clients Engaged in the Marijuna Industry.

This program addressed Alaska marijuana regulations and the legal nuances and local governance issues involving the Alaska marijuana industry, as well as ethical considerations facing lawyers when counseling clients who are regulating or engaging in the marijuana industry.

Prof. Brandeis teaches courses on the American legal system, constitutional law, and civil liberties, and is a frequent speaker on constitutional law and other legal topics.  Prof. Brandeis also maintains a private law practice through which he advises clients on marijuana law and policy questions.  This law practice preceded this CLE program, and included providing legal services to the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol in Alaska.

Prof. Brandeis interviewed on KTUU Channel 2 News about how marijuana legalization will affect the state

L to r: Prof. Brandeis; Brendan Babb, Code for Anchorage; and
Rebecca Palsha, KTUU.

Prof. Jason Brandeis, J.D., Legal Studies faculty in the Justice Center, was interviewed by KTUU Channel 2 News on Friday, March 18, about the impact of marijuana legalization on the state.

Prof. Brandeis noted that data on proposed locations for marijuana establishments are being updated frequently by the Alcohol & Marijuana Control Office, and that individual municipalities across the state are taking different approaches to implementing the state's marijuana regulations. Brendan Babb, Code for Anchorage, discussed the map he created showing the location of different types of marijuana establishments around the state.

Prof. Brandeis teaches courses on the American legal system, constitutional law, and civil liberties, and is a frequent speaker on constitutional law and other legal topics. Prof. Brandeis also maintains a private law practice through which he advises clients on marijuana law and policy questions.  This law practice preceded this interview, and included providing legal services to the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol in Alaska. 

See the interview here:
"Where marijuana businesses have been proposed across Alaska." Interview by Rebecca Palsha. KTUU Channel 2 News. 18 Mar 2016.

Prof. Brandeis publishes article on marijuana legalization in Alaska Bar Association quarterly - The Bar Rag

Prof. Jason Brandeis, J.D., Legal Studies faculty in the Justice Center,  published an article in the recent issue of the Alaska Bar Rag, the official publication of the Alaska Bar Association. Prof. Brandeis provides an overview of the final regulations and the licensing timeline for starting a marijuana business.

He notes, "This article provides a snapshot of the current landscape of legal marijuana in Alaska. Despite the brevity, it illustrates the complexity of birthing an industry from scratch, of crafting a regulatory framework and of moving the product from a black market to a legal market."

"Marijuana legalization: Read before you grow, sell, toke" by Jason Brandeis. Alaska Bar Rag, Vol. 40, No. 1, January - March 2016.

Prof. Brandeis teaches courses on the American legal system, constitutional law, and civil liberties, and is a frequent speaker on constitutional law and other legal topics. Prof. Brandeis also maintains a private law practice through which he advises clients on marijuana law and policy questions.  This law practice preceded the writing and publication of this article, and included providing legal services to the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol in Alaska.

Two law review articles by Prof. Brandeis cited in Alaska Epidemiology bulletin on marijuana use survey

Two law review articles by Prof. Jason Brandeis, J.D., Legal Studies faculty in the Justice Center, were cited in the February 1, 2016 State of Alaska Epidemiology Bulletin, Survey on Marijuana Use, Awareness, and Beliefs - Alaska, May 2015.

Read Prof. Brandeis' articles here:

"Ravin Revisited: Alaska's Historic Common Law Marijuana Rule at the Dawn of Legalization," Alaska Law Review, Vol. 32, No. 2, December 2015

"Continuing vitality of Ravin v. State: Alaskans still have a constitutional right to ossess marijuana in the privacy of their homes,"  Alaska Law Review, Vol. 29, No. 2, December 2012.

Prof. Brandeis teaches courses on the American legal system, constitutional law, and civil liberties, and is a frequent speaker on constitutional law and other legal topics. Prof. Brandeis also maintains a private law practice through which he advises clients on marijuana law and policy questions.  This law practice included providing legal services to the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol in Alaska.

AJSAC Fact Sheet released - Alaska Trauma Registry: Trauma Admissions Involving Alcohol or Illegal Drugs, 2014

The most recent issue of the AJSAC Fact Sheet — "Alaska Trauma Registry: Trauma Admissions Involving Alcohol or Illegal Drugs, 2014" — presents data from the Alaska Trauma Registry (ATR) on numbers of trauma admissions, patient demographics, and the presence of alcohol or illegal drugs in trauma admissions in 2014.

The fact sheet is by Khristy Parker of the Alaska Justice Statistical Analysis Center (AJSAC).

Article by Prof. Brandeis on the next phase of marijuana regulation published in Alaska Law Review

"Ravin Revisited: Alaska’s Historic Common Law Marijuana Rule at the Dawn of Legalization," an article by Prof. Jason Brandeis, J.D., Legal Studies faculty in the Justice Center, has been published in the December 2015 issue of the Alaska Law Review.

This article begins a discussion of the next phase of marijuana regulation in Alaska following the November 2014 election in which Alaska voters approved Ballot Measure 2: “An act to tax and regulate the production, sale, and use of marijuana.” Measure 2 ushered in a new era of marijuana regulation, adding Alaska to the short list of states that permit the retail sale and use of recreational marijuana.

The Alaska Law Review Editor-In-Chief explained that Professor Brandeis' article "provides a review of the on-going development of a statewide framework for regulating marijuana in Alaska and identifies issues in the relationship between these new laws and the preexisting Ravin Doctrine that have yet to be addressed by the Alaska Legislature. This article updates his previous contribution to the Alaska Law Review ["The Continuing Vitality of Ravin v. State..."] on the Ravin Doctrine, which protects the personal use of marijuana in the privacy of one’s own home, in light of Alaska’s recent legalization of marijuana."  (Read the full editor-in-chief note in pdf.)

Prof. Brandeis teaches courses on the American legal system, constitutional law, and civil liberties, and is a frequent speaker on constitutional law and other legal topics. Prof. Brandeis also maintains a private law practice through which he advises clients on marijuana law and policy questions.  This law practice preceded the writing and publication of this article, and included providing legal services to the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol in Alaska.

Prof. Brandeis interviewed by KTUU Channel 2 News about proposed spice ordinance

Prof. Jason Brandeis, J.D., Legal Studies faculty in the Justice Center, was interviewed by KTUU Channel 2 News about the proposed Municipal ordinance controlling the synthetic cannabinoid called spice.

His comments aired on the 6:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. broadcasts on November 10, 2015.

Prof. Brandeis publishes article on marijuana law in Alaska Bar Association quarterly - The Bar Rag

Prof. Jason Brandeis, J.D., Legal Studies faculty in the Justice Center, published an article in the recent issue of the Alaska Bar Rag, the official publication of the Alaska Bar Association. Prof. Brandeis discusses the current status of marijuana legalization in Alaska, including enforcement issues and criminal investigations reported in the media, analysis of the state's approach to marijuana legalization under the current federal guidance, and the ongoing development of Alaska's regulatory system.

"Marijuana legalization: where the process stands now" by Jason Brandeis. Alaska Bar Rag, Vol. 39, No. 3., July - September 2015.

Copies are available from the Alaska Bar office: 907-272-7469

Prof. Brandeis teaches courses on American government, constitutional law and civil liberties, and is a frequent speaker on constitutional law and other legal issues. Prof. Brandeis also maintains a private law practice through which he provided legal representation in administrative agency proceedings for the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol in Alaska. 

Prof. Brandeis publishes article in Alaska Bar Association publication - The Bar Rag

Prof. Jason Brandeis, J.D., Legal Studies faculty in the Justice Center, recently wrote a commentary on being interviewed by Josh Kramer of The Atlantic magazine about Irwin Ravin and the history of marijuana in Alaska.  Kramer's article was done in cartoon panel style and featured several panels of Prof. Brandeis.

Prof. Brandeis' commentary, "Pot law history: A graphic view of Alaska and marijuana," was published in the April - June 2015 issue of the Alaska Bar Rag, the official publication of the Alaska Bar Association.

Prof. Brandeis teaches courses on American government, constitutional law and civil liberties, and is a frequent speaker on constitutional law and other legal issues. Prof. Brandeis also maintains a private law practice through which he provided legal representation in administrative agency proceedings for the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol in Alaska.

Copies of the article are available from the Alaska Bar Association.