Borough voters approve bond package, reject commercial pot ban

According to unofficial results, Mat-Su Borough voters appear to have said no to a ban on commercial marijuana outside of city limits, and yes to marijuana sales tax and a recreation and trails bond package.

As of late Tuesday night, with thirty-nine of forty-one precincts reporting, the ballot initiative to prohibit commercial marijuana in the unincorporated areas of the Mat-Su was trailing with 6,739 votes in favor and 8,061 votes against. Had the initiative passed, Houston would have been the only area in the borough with legal commercial marijuana operations.

A five-percent sales tax on marijuana sales within the borough passed by nearly a five-to-one margin.

The third area-wide ballot question deals with improvements to recreational facilities and trails in the borough. The bulk of the $22 million bond package will go to public pools in Palmer and Wasilla as well as the Brett Memorial Ice Arena. Some Upper Valley projects are also in the package, including ice rinks, community centers, and the Talkeetna Ridge Trail.

Turnout was significantly higher than in recent years, but still low in absolute terms, with most precincts reporting turnout between twenty and twenty-eight percent.

These results are unofficial, and some absentee and poll votes have not been counted as of press time. The Mat-Su Borough Assembly is scheduled to certify the election at its October 18^th meeting.