(NPR stock photo)

A ban on the public consumption of marijuana will get a public hearing at a special city council meeting next week.

Councilors took a first look at the ordinance Tuesday night. It would put the ballot measure voters approved last fall into local law -- setting a $100 fine for marijuana consumption in public places, making it illegal for people under 21 and limiting how many plants are allowed for personal use. 

Council took that up after a debrief from police and city manager Chris Hladick on a recent marijuana conference in Colorado. Hladick’s takeaway was that marijuana in plant form is just a small part of what will become a new industry in Alaska.

"The philosophical argument about whether or not it should be legalized is over. It is legal," Hladick said. "And I don’t call this the legalization of marijuana, I call it the commercialization of marijuana."

Police spent almost an hour delving into the negative impacts that commercialization has had in Colorado -- from lower-than-expected tax income, to kids being hospitalized after eating marijuana products. They showed a video about butane hash oil production, filmed in a state where the drug is illegal. That process can cause explosions.

Some residents at the meeting were concerned that council was only getting one side of the story. Jerry Swihart said councilors should keep the drug’s medical benefits in mind.

"I know people -- that’s why I’m getting kind of upset, because my dad died of cancer and I know other people that are dying right now … and they smoke it. They’ve got a medical card," Swihart said. "And I think you guys should think real strongly about believing some of this stuff that was said here."

He added that he’d prefer to use marijuana instead of alcohol for health reasons, if he didn’t have a commercial driver’s license.

Either way, councilors said that issues like commercial sales are a long ways off. The state has until November to set up its broader regulations for the new industry. For now, council hopes to pass the local ordinance before the possession of an ounce of marijuana becomes legal on Feb. 24.

Councilors also agreed on Tuesday to reject a $250,000 grant for restoration projects in the Iliuliuk River. They say the state’s requirements for the grant aren’t affordable or in the public interest.

Qawalangin Tribe President Tom Robinson said he’s already working with the Unalaska Native Fishermen’s Association and the city on funding clean-up projects -- and hoping to do more in the future. 

"We are seeking federal money through the federal subsistence grant program to move forward, regardless of the stringent rules that you have to play by on your lower river money," Robinson said.

That could help the tribe or some other entity buy a fish weir for the river. It’s the main project residents asked for that’s now without funding.

Council also did some work on housing development on Tuesday. They want to encourage developers to pursue local improvement districts, where the city chips in on utility upgrades in a new subdivision, and lot owners pay them back over time.

Councilors also asked for details on a tax break that could encourage builders to turn old properties into new housing.

They also agreed to send two councilors, rather than the typical three, to Juneau for the city’s annual lobbying trip next month. Yudelka Leclere and Dave Gregory volunteered to go with the mayor.

Council’s next meeting -- including the marijuana hearing -- is at a special time, due to travel conflicts. It’ll be at 9 a.m. next Friday, Feb. 20.

This story has been updated.