There have been underground medical marijuana outlets and clubs for awhile now in Alaska. Alaska is like most other medical marijuana states where such entities existed, operating in what some describe as a ‘grey area’ of the law, while others call it a blatant disregard for the law. Now that recreational marijuana has been legalized in Alaska, some Alaska marijuana establishments have received ‘cease and desist’ orders demanding that they halt operations until marijuana business licenses are issued. Per the Frontiersman:

There’s been a lot of upset in Alaska’s new cannabis industry recently. Rule makers sent letters out to several marijuana businesses, advising them to close their doors.

“We’ve spent a lot of money trying to say that we are legitimate,” Discrete Deliveries owner Rocky Burns told the newly formed Marijuana Control Board (MCB).

His business is one of six recently sent a letter by Alcoholic Beverage Control Board (ABC) Director Cynthia Franklin, advising them to stop operating.

“There’s nothing specifically that is named in the letter that will happen if businesses don’t cease and desist,” Franklin explained.

Judging by the scene at Pot Luck Events on Wednesday night, one would never guess the state has advised the club to shut down.

Members had come to the downtown Anchorage marijuana social club to smoke, take dab hits and watch the “Chronic Comedy Show,” while eating free candy provided at the nonalcoholic bar. “Bud of the week” samples -- provided by growers, not the club, owner Theresa Collins explained -- were displayed on a table in the back of the room.

Yet the club, which has been open since March, is one of six businesses that received cease-and-desist letters from Cynthia Franklin, director of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board and the newly created Marijuana Control Board, in late June.

The five members who will make up Alaska’s first Marijuana Control Board were named Wednesday morning by Gov. Bill Walker.

The Marijuana Control Board is tasked with crafting Alaska’s regulations surrounding legalized recreational and commercial marijuana. The board is made up of volunteers and will function under the auspices of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, sharing the staff and resources of the agency.

Walker said in a release the appointees “bring with them decades of experience in public health, business development and rural issues. With their different backgrounds and diverse skill sets, they will help shepherd in regulations for this new industry.”

Marijuana is the third most popular recreational drug in America, behind alcohol and tobacco. It is estimated that nearly 100 million Americans use it.

Alaska, Oregon and Washington, D.C., recently have legalized marijuana’s recreational use and distribution. Many employers in Iowa are wondering how this trend will affect their workplace.

But frankly, unless federal and state laws are changed, the answer is not at all.

Remember, marijuana still is illegal under federal law (the Controlled Substances Act) and Iowa law. In fact, even in those states that legalized marijuana years ago (Colorado and Washington), many employers continue to drug test for marijuana in the workplace.

Yes, we know Alaskans don't really live in igloos. Our news publication is based out of Canada, so we suffer from the same stereotype! Thanks for the fan who sent this over. Keep them coming! Post a link to your favorite cartoon in the comment section below!

More than 100 Alaskans are vying for a spot on the Marijuana Control Board, Alaska’s new regulatory body that will craft the state’s marijuana regulations, according to documents released by the state. Among the list of applicants are marijuana initiative supporters, business owners, a few people who spoke out against the initiative, and the attorney who represented the famous "Bong Hits 4 Jesus" case. 

Although Alaska voted in favor of legalizing marijuana in November, it was still up to individual towns to decide whether or not possession of cannabis for any adult at least 21 years old would be legal.

Monday night, the North Pole city council met to decide the fate of marijuana in Santa Claus's hometown. And Santa himself showed up to weigh in.

North Pole residents can put marijuana on their Christmas list next year.

The city council in North Pole, Alaska, rejected a measure on Monday that would have banned marijuana dispensaries. 

Marijuana became legal in Alaska in February, and sales begin next year.

Will be sold last year: The city council in North Pole, Alaska, rejected a measure on Monday that would have banned marijuana dispensaries in the Christmas themed town 

Peter Lomonaco, co-founder of the Alaska Cannabis Club, and CEO Charlo Greene smoke at their medical marijuana dispensary in Anchorage, Alaska after recreational use of the drug became legal n February 

It's going to be a very merry Christmas this year.

The state of Alaska voted in favor of legalizing marijuana in November, making the possession of cannabis legal for any adult 21-years of age and older in February of 2015. However, individuals towns could still block the sale of marijuana, and on Monday, the town of North Pole took a vote to decide if pot shops would be allowed within its limits.