Oral Hearing on Proposed Medical Use of Marijuana Program Regulations

The Alaska Department of Health has issued a notice of proposed regulatory changes to Title 7 of the Alaska Administrative Code regarding the medical use of marijuana program. Key proposals include removing the requirement for social security numbers on registry identification card applications, repealing restrictions on primary caregivers to allow them to serve multiple patients, and extending the expiration period for registry identification cards from 12 months to 24 months. Additional amendments involve technical updates to language, such as standardizing the term "caregiver" to align with AS 17.37.010, and repealing redundant definitions in 7 AAC 34.990. The Department states that these changes are not expected to require an increased appropriation. The public is invited to submit written comments to Abigail Newby-Kew, Ph.D., by 5:00 p.m. on November 6, 2026. An oral hearing is scheduled for October 29, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. via telephone. The Department will review all comments before deciding whether to adopt the changes, potentially with modifications.