Nominees to Alaska marijuana board face confirmation hearing

JUNEAU, Alaska – Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s two appointments to the board that regulates Alaska’s legal marijuana industry face confirmation hearings Tuesday.

Much of the public comment submitted ahead of Tuesday’s proceedings focused on Vivian Stiver. Dunleavy appointed Stiver to replace Brandon Emmett, who is one of two industry representatives on the Marijuana Control Board.

The law establishing the five-member board allows for up to two members to come from industry though one of those seats could go to a member of the general public.

Critics say Stiver is not friendly to the industry and could hurt progress the industry has made. Stiver was involved in a failed 2017 effort to ban marijuana operations in Fairbanks.

Supporters say Stiver could bring balance to the board.

Christopher Jaime was nominated to the public safety seat.