Mlynarik appointed to Marijuana Control Board

Soldotna Police Chief Peter Mlynarik has been appointed to the public safety position on the Marijuana Control Board, according to a press release from the Office of the Governor.

Gov. Bill Walker was tasked with filling five seats on the board, which was created following the passage of House Bill 123 in April. According to the release, the board will be responsible for creating regulations with regard to “marijuana cultivation, processing and commercial sale.”

Mlynarik, who has more than 20 years of experience in law enforcement, will be expected to weigh in on potential public safety issues surrounding this new marijuana industry.

“I am pleased to announce these five appointees to the Marijuana Control Board,” Walker said in the release. “We are utilizing existing staff to support the board and will only be hiring a small number of new positions.”

The Alaska Department of Revenue estimates that tax revenues from commercial marijuana sales will generate between $5.1 million to $9.2 million in the industry’s first year, according to the release.

Reach Megan Pacer at megan.pacer@peninsulaclarion.com.

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