25 Feb 2015

Alaska legalises marijuana use

4:13 pm on 25 February 2015

Smoking, growing and owning small amounts of marijuana became legal in Alaska today as a growing decriminalisation movement reached the United States' northwest frontier.

Medical Marijuana growing in LA

Photo: AFP

Alaska follows Colorado and Washington among states allowing recreational use of the drug, which remains illegal under federal law.

Anyone in Alaska aged 21 or older can now possess up to an ounce or 28.3 grams of marijuana, and can grow up to six plants, three of which can be flowering.

Smoking in public and buying and selling the drug remain illegal, but private exchanges are allowed if money is not involved.