Vivian Stiver testifies in front of the House Labor and Commerce Committee for confirmation to the Marijuana Control Board at the Capitol on Wednesday, March 6, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Vivian Stiver testifies in front of the House Labor and Commerce Committee for confirmation to the Marijuana Control Board at the Capitol on Wednesday, March 6, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Controversial marijuana board appointee meets resistance in confirmation hearing

Skeptics worry Vivian Stiver is still anti-marijuana

Marijuana Control Board appointee Vivian Stiver says her past involvement working on a referendum against legal marijuana businesses in Fairbanks will not affect her work on the board.

“I have personal views, I do, and they get set aside,” Stiver said. “I don’t think I’ll have any problem representing business fairly.”

Stiver went through a confirmation hearing in the House Labor and Commerce Committee on Wednesday afternoon.

[Alaska moves closer to onsite marijuana use in certain areas]

Brandon Emmett, a former board member who is still involved in the marijuana industry in Fairbanks, testified to the committee against Stiver.

Emmett listed a number of reasons why he believes Stiver should not be appointed to the board, including her involvement on the Keep Neighborhoods Safe Fairbanks group that worked to rid Fairbanks of the legal marijuana industry in 2017, her previous record of spreading misinformation in Fairbanks, and also because of her inconsistent public statements.

Rep. Sara Hannan, D-Juneau, had asked Stiver if she would work to overturn the on-site marijuana consumption regulations that have been recently delivered to Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer.

Stiver said, “It’s a done deal, there’s nothing for me to support or not support.”

Hannan pressed her, saying “Democracy is never done” and got a similar response.

When Emmett testified, he quoted a news article in which Stiver had said she would work to overturn on-site consumption regulations.

Rep. Gabrielle LeDoux, R-Anchorage, asked Emmett which article he was quoting from. Emmett said he would track the article down and send it to her.

The owner of Juneau’s Fireweed Factory asked the committee not to appoint her to the board, because her “known hostility” toward the industry.

As of 4:30 p.m., about 3o people had signed up to testify concerning Stiver’s appointment to the board.


• Contact reporter Kevin Baird at 523-2258 or kbaird@juneauempire.com. Follow him on Twitter at @alaska_kev.


More in News

The Norwegian Bliss arrives in Juneau on Monday, April 14, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Ships in port for the week of June 8

This information comes from the Cruise Line Agencies of Alaska’s 2025 schedule.… Continue reading

Christina Love leads the audience in raising their fist, symbolizing telling the truth despite fear on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Natalie Buttner / Juneau Empire)
Juneau joins nation in ‘No Kings’ protest

More than 1,000 protestors join millions nationwide opposing Trump as he presides over military parade.

A row of tents on Teal Street across the street from the Glory Hall on the morning of Saturday, May 14, 2025. Occupants of the tents received a 48-hour vacate notice from the Juneau Police Department on Friday morning. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Large homeless encampment on Teal Street gets JPD vacate notice; where will occupants go next?

People who keep moving from place to place under “dispersed camping” policy unsure where they’ll go.

Volunteers look for trash on the Jordan Avenue sidewalk at JAMHI’s Community Litter Pickup event on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Ellie Ruel / Juneau Empire)
JAMHI hosts community cleanup to kick off 40th anniversary celebration

Local addiction and mental health treatment organization plans summer of events and give-back days.

Then-Rep. Grier Hopkins, D-Fairbanks, speaks on the floor of the Alaska House, Wednesday, May 18, 2022. Hopkins is now the mayor of the Fairbanks North Star Borough. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Officials warn of possible lawsuit in wake of Alaska governor’s education funding veto

Among issues are if veto violates Alaska’s constitutional guarantee of adequately funded public schools.

Youths compete in a choker setter race during last year’s Juneau Gold Rush Days at Savikko Park on Sunday, June 23, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
A not-entirely-precise schedule of this year’s Juneau Gold Rush Days

Timing of events for 33rd annual weekend “depends on the number of contestants and speed of competitors”

The Black Bear chairlift at Eaglecrest Ski Area will not reopen because repairs are no longer practical, officials said Thursday. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)
Eaglecrest leaders decide Black Bear chairlift is beyond repair, seek alternatives to get skiers at their peak

Possibilities include converting Ptarmigan lift to triple-chair in addition to long-awaited gondola.

Homes in downtown and west Juneau on Friday, May 13, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Short-term rental task force recommends rule adjustments, but no cap on units for property owners

Group suggests allowing multiple STRs for a single dwelling, “grandfathering” period for new rules.

Most Read