Prof. Brandeis discusses marijuana policy at CLE today

Prof. Jason Brandeis

Alaska is now among eight states that have legalized commercaial marijuana use and sale for adults. However, marijuana use, possession, and sale remains generally illegal under federal law. This ongoing tension presents numerous legal challenges and questions for businesses operating in the marijuana industry, for recreational and medicinal marijuana users, for government regulatory agencies tasked with overseeing and managing these markets, and for attorneys who work in this field.

Professor Jason Brandeis, Justice Center faculty,  is giving two presentations on these ongoing marijuana law and policy issues at today's continuing legal education (CLE) event titled Recreational Marijuana Law In Alaska. Professor Brandeis' first presentation, "Federal Responses to Alaska Marijuana Law," will discuss constitutional preemption and the Controlled Substance Act, how federal agency policy decisions affect state marijuana markets, current federal marijuana enforcement priorities, and the impact of federal marijuana prohibition on state agencies receiving federal funding.

Professor Brandeis is also giving a presentation on the ethical issues that marijuana legalization poses for attorneys. This presentation, covering marijuana and the Alaska Rules of Professional Conduct, satisfies part of the Alaska Bar Association's legal ethics education requirement.

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.  He has also provided legal services to the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol in Alaska.