Next week, Alaskans will vote on whether to legalize the recreational use of marijuana in the state. The passage of ballot measure 2 would mean a major adjustment for local governments and police -- and in Unalaska, they think it’s a step in the wrong direction.

City council will vote on a resolution declaring their opposition to the ballot measure at their regular meeting tonight. It was handed to them by Unalaska police. According to Sgt. Bill Simms, legalizing the drug "wouldn't work" here:

"You’re just introducing another intoxicant into the community," he says. "We have a problem with alcohol use and hard drug use, and just enabling people to have marijuana on a whim would definitely create some problems in the community."

He says he’s seen many recreational marijuana users in Unalaska go on to be arrested for using and selling harder drugs, or for other crimes. He’ll present some statistics to back that up at council’s meeting tonight. And he’ll talk about police concerns about how marijuana affects workers, drivers and children.

Ballot measure 2 would legalize the sale of marijuana products to people 21 and older. But Simms says police are worried that even advertising the drug in town would lead to higher use among underage people, too. 

Also at tonight’s meeting, council will consider changing the city’s contract with Ron Moore, who’s been hauling scrap metal out of town since 2012. Public utilities director Dan Winters wrote in a memo to council that Moore is facing higher shipping costs and lower prices for selling the metal in Seattle. The memo says a ton of metal now costs $110 more to ship than what it’s worth.

Tonight, council will vote to take on Moore’s shipping costs so he can continue operating in Unalaska. In his memo, Winters estimates it will cost the city up to $250,000 to send the island’s remaining scrap away on a barge. That’s on top of what they’re already paying Moore. His current contract is for $30,000.

Also tonight, council will consider shelling out almost $11,000 of their own contingency fund to buy a full-page ad in an upcoming U.S. Coast Guard anniversary book. And the mayor will administer the oath of office to newly elected councilor Yudelka Leclere. Zoya Johnson will also be sworn in for her second term.

Council meets at 6 p.m. at City Hall.