Hemp and Cannabis Fair attracts new marijuana businesses

By Patrick Enslow
Source: ktuu.com

ANCHORAGE (KTUU) Trade shows for the marijuana industry are starting to become more and more common as retail sales look to soon arrive at locations across the state.

This weekend, the Hemp and Cannabis Fair is taking place at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Anchorage. Organizers of the event said they expect to see anywhere from 1,500 to 2,000 people attend over the course of just a couple of days.

“We see everybody from veterans, who are teaching about medicinal uses, to homeowners, teachers, PTA members and lawyers," said fair director Naomi Forkash. "Really, anyone.”

Booths at the event vary from soil for marijuana plants to dehumidifiers to kitchens planning on making cookie edibles.

“What we are doing with Oracle is fresh cookie dough that you would take home and bake from your oven,” said Martin Christensen, owner of Oracle Cookie Company.

Christensen, like many others, is only running a cookie dough company until he gets his license. If all goes through, he will then be able to make marijuana cookies or edibles himself.

“Finding a location has been the biggest hurdle," Christensen said. "After that, it’s licensing,”

That's a common theme for many entrepreneurs at this weekend's fair.

“The biggest challenge is no one has done this before," said Bruce Schulte of the Alaska Marijuana Industry Association. "Everyone from the state level on down, it's new territory."

Schulte also serves on the Alaska Marijuana Control Board, which has already begun approving licenses for cultivation and testing labs.
This September, the Marijuana Control Board is scheduled to meet and begin approving retail licenses across the state.

While many potential business owners are eager to grab one, Schulte said other businesses are starting look at ways to cash in without a license.

“It’s not all people growing and selling cannabis," he said. "It’s all the ancillary businesses."

Companies such as Interlink Supply, a restoration company that usually works on properties with fire and water damage, were also at the fair.

“We had somebody come by and say there is a fair, and we thought about it, because we come from the restoration industry,” said Vanessa Kitchen, co-owner of Intersupply.

The company sells equipment like dehumidifiers and air scrubbers to marijuana cultivation businesses.

The Hemp and Cannabis Fair goes until July 24th. Please note, there is no on-site consumption at this event.