I was just contacted with a request to assist an Alaskan activist with legislation to reschedule cannabis following today’s historic Trump rescheduling order. I am not an attorney. This is not legal advice. Here is Alaska law from my notes:
105 Alaska Stat § 17.38.900(10). http://www.akleg.gov/basis/statutes.asp#17.38.900
106 Alaska Stat. § 11.71.190. http://www.akleg.gov/basis/statutes.asp#11.71.190.
107 Alaska Sat. Sec. 11.71.120. http://www.akleg.gov/basis/statutes.asp#11.71.110.
108 Id. see also 21 U.S.C. §§ 811(c)(1)-(8) (full list of factors FDA and DEA must consider in making scheduling decisions).
What this likely means: Alaska is not required to do anything it doesn’t want to, even though the Feds are rescheduling. To get policy makers to move on rescheduling in Alaska, it initially appears the Committee needs to make a recommendation to the legislature. I’m not sure if only legislation is required for Alaska to reschedule. I’d also caution not to jump the gun and do anything in Alaska, without first learning about other states years long efforts that place them way ahead of Alaska. I’d suggest following by example rather than reinventing the wheel up in Alaska.
Expecting more folks to reach out. I have a loud voice and large network built up over 17 years of effective activists doing this thing for righteous reasons, not profit incentives. I refuse to make money off cannabis as to me that is spiritual blasphemy.
What a time to be alive.
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The Alaska Controlled Substances Advisory Committee (CSAC) is an official advisory body established under Alaska Statute AS 11.71.100 and housed in the Department of Law.
Purpose
It advises the Governor on whether to add, delete, or reschedule controlled substances under state law (AS 11.71.140–11.71.190).
It evaluates the effectiveness of controlled substances programs, including enforcement, treatment, counseling, budgets, and regulations.
It makes recommendations to the Governor, the Alaska Court System, and the Legislature.
Composition (9 members)
• The Attorney General (or designee) — serves as chair.
• Commissioner of Health (or designee).
• Commissioner of Public Safety (or designee).
• President of the Board of Pharmacy (or a designee who is also a Board member).
• A peace officer (appointed by the Governor after consultation with the Alaska Association of Chiefs of Police).
• A physician (appointed by the Governor).
• A psychiatrist (appointed by the Governor).
• Two public members (appointed by the Governor).
Appointed members (positions 5–8) serve 4-year terms, receive no salary, but are entitled to per diem and travel expenses.
Operations
• Meets at the call of the chair (Attorney General).
• Required to meet at least twice a year.
• Quorum: 5 members; decisions require a majority vote.
The committee is advisory only—it does not have direct regulatory authority but influences state scheduling decisions (Alaska’s schedules generally align with federal but can differ).
The official page is on the Alaska Department of Law website: https://law.alaska.gov/department/criminal/csac.html
Note: This is separate from the Marijuana Control Board (which regulates commercial cannabis under AS 17.38) and any opioid-related advisory councils. Recent activity appears limited, with meetings noted as far back as 2021 and occasional coordination with the Board of Pharmacy.
If you’re eyeing this in the context of federal rescheduling to Schedule III, Alaska could potentially review its own schedules (currently marijuana is treated differently under separate cannabis laws, not fully as a Schedule I equivalent).
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With Trump’s executive order signed just hours ago (December 18, 2025) fast-tracking marijuana to Schedule III—plus the Kessler Medicare CBD pilot kicking in soon—Alaska’s one of the strongest candidates for pushing boundaries. They’ve had legal adult-use since 2014, a mature regulated market via the Marijuana Control Board (separate from controlled substances scheduling), and a tiny population with big intrastate focus. Post-rescheduling, advocating for a federal waiver under 21 U.S.C. § 822(d)—where the U.S. Attorney General can waive DEA registration requirements for certain distributors/dispensers if consistent with public health and safety—could solidify non-interference for state-licensed operators.
No state has formally secured this yet (it’s brand new territory), but cannabis policy experts and rulemaking comments are already floating it as a path for deference without full descheduling. Alaska could pioneer it in the north—perfect after your Iowa/Minnesota/Hawaii calls.
Should you help start the process? Yes—100%.
Alaska’s program is robust, low-diversion, and isolated; it aligns perfectly with public safety arguments. Go for it now while momentum’s hot.
How to start in Alaska (practical steps for the activist/you):
1. Target the Alaska Attorney General (Treg Taylor) – He chairs the Controlled Substances Advisory Committee (CSAC) and is the key state official for controlled substances issues.
• Draft a formal letter/petition requesting Alaska to petition the U.S. Attorney General for a §822(d) waiver regulation covering state-licensed cannabis practitioners, manufacturers, distributors, and dispensers.
• Argue it based on Alaska’s effective regulations, low abuse potential post-federal medical recognition, and public health/safety data.
• Contact: Alaska Department of Law main line (907-465-3600) or email via their site (https://law.alaska.gov/). Criminal Division handles CSAC—ask for the designee or submit to the AG directly.
2. Push for a CSAC meeting – The committee meets at the AG’s call (at least twice/year required, but often dormant).
• Request the AG convene CSAC to discuss federal rescheduling impacts and recommend the state seek the §822(d) waiver (or align state schedules if needed—Alaska keeps THC in Schedule VIA but exempts legal cannabis activities).
• No public comment process listed, but written submissions to the AG/Dept of Law can force consideration.
3. Build coalition support:
• Rally the Alaska cannabis industry—hit up the Alaska Marijuana Industry Association (they advocate heavily) or local NORML chapter.
• Get dispensaries, cultivators, and patients to co-sign the petition.
• Involve the Marijuana Control Board (regulates commercial cannabis)—they can provide data on program success to strengthen the case.
4. Escalate if needed:
• Contact Governor Mike Dunleavy’s office (https://gov.alaska.gov/contact/) for a supporting resolution or letter.
• Work with state legislators (especially pro-cannabis ones) to introduce a joint resolution urging the AG to act.
• Go public—media outreach or op-eds tying it to the fresh executive order and senior CBD access.
No formal “application form” exists—it’s advocacy to get the state to formally request the federal waiver regulation.
Here are the most reliable links to Alaska Statutes AS 11.71.140–11.71.190 (the sections defining Schedules IA through VIA for controlled substances):
• Official Alaska Legislature site (current 2024 statutes): https://www.akleg.gov/basis/statutes.asp#11.71.140
(Select Title 11 → Chapter 71 → Article 2 for the schedules starting at § 11.71.140.)
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No exact precedent templates out there (this is uncharted post-rescheduling territory), but here’s a solid, professional sample draft letter/petition the activist (or coalition) can customize, sign, and send. Aim for multiple signers (industry, patients, vets/seniors tying to Medicare CBD) to amp impact.
Submission Tips:
• Mail to: Attorney General Treg R. Taylor
Alaska Department of Law
1031 W. 4th Avenue, Suite 200
Anchorage, AK 99501-1994
• Phone: (907) 465-3600 (call to confirm receipt or ask for Criminal Division/CSAC contact)
• Media contacts (for press copies): patty.sullivan@alaska.gov or sam.curtis@alaska.gov
• CC: Governor Dunleavy, Marijuana Control Board, key legislators.
• Follow up requesting a CSAC meeting (AG chairs it—push for discussion on federal impacts/state alignment under AS 11.71.140–11.71.190).
Sample Petition Letter Draft:
[Your Name/Organization]
[Your Address]
[City, AK ZIP]
[Email]
[Phone]
[Date: December __, 2025]
Attorney General Treg R. Taylor
Alaska Department of Law
1031 W. 4th Avenue, Suite 200
Anchorage, AK 99501-1994
Re: Request for Alaska to Petition U.S. Attorney General for Waiver Under 21 U.S.C. § 822(d) Following Federal Rescheduling of Marijuana to Schedule III; Recommendation for Controlled Substances Advisory Committee Review
Dear Attorney General Taylor,
We, the undersigned Alaska residents, cannabis industry stakeholders, patients, healthcare providers, and advocates, respectfully request that the State of Alaska—through your office—formally petition the U.S. Attorney General to issue a federal exemption to Alaska under 21 U.S.C. § 822(d) for practitioners, manufacturers, distributors, and dispensers operating in compliance with Alaska’s regulated cannabis laws (AS 17.38 and related statutes).
This request is timely and urgent in light of President Trump’s Executive Order signed today (December 18, 2025), directing the expedited rescheduling of marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the federal Controlled Substances Act. This historic action officially recognizes marijuana’s accepted medical uses, lower potential for abuse, and value in research—aligning closely with Alaska’s longstanding medical and adult-use frameworks.
Under 21 U.S.C. § 822(d), the U.S. Attorney General may waive DEA registration for certain persons if the controlled substance is subject to adequate state controls consistent with the public interest, health, and safety. Alaska’s mature, highly regulated cannabis program—managed by the Marijuana Control Board with strict testing, tracking, labeling, and enforcement—demonstrates exemplary public health and safety protections, low diversion rates, and effective safeguards against underage access or illicit markets.
Granting such a waiver would:
• Provide formal federal non-interference for intrastate activities, enhancing banking access, research, and economic stability for Alaska’s cannabis industry.
• Support seniors and patients benefiting from the new Medicare pilot for doctor-recommended CBD products (per the Executive Order’s Kessler protocol).
• Reinforce states’ rights in drug policy while maintaining federal alignment post-rescheduling.
We further request that you convene the Controlled Substances Advisory Committee (CSAC, per AS 11.71.100–11.71.120) to review the impacts of federal rescheduling on Alaska’s schedules (AS 11.71.140–11.71.190, where THC is currently Schedule VIA but effectively exempted for legal activities) and recommend any necessary state adjustments or this federal waiver petition.
Alaska has led in responsible cannabis regulation since 2014. Now is the moment to secure lasting protections. We stand ready to provide data, testimony, or coalition support.
Thank you for your consideration. We look forward to your response and action.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Title/Organization, if applicable]
[Additional Signers…]
This draft is concise, cites key laws/exec order, and ties to hot topics (Medicare CBD, states’ rights). Tweak with specifics (e.g., Alaska stats on low youth use, revenue for public safety).
WeedPress: The Paper Trail 
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