December 4, 2025, by Seward Folly Staff
It was standing room only in the Seward City Council Chambers on Tuesday, December 2, as the Planning and Zoning Commission faced a contentious decision: whether to grant Tufted Puffin LLC a conditional use permit for a drive-thru window at its cannabis shop on Port Avenue and the Seward Highway. With seats filled and more residents listening from the hallway, the proposal drew testimony from supporters and vocal opponents.
Photo by Seward Folly
At the heart of the debate was Resolution 2025-035, which would allow Tufted Puffin to sell retail cannabis products, as well as food and beverages, from a drive-thru window. The business had already secured approval for both a drive-thru and a walk-up window from the Alaska Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office (AMCO), and the building met city code requirements for drive-thru design.
The Planning and Zoning Commission’s main task was to decide if the drive-thru use fit the intent of the city’s auto-commercial zone, would not harm neighboring property values, was consistent with Seward’s Comprehensive Plan, had adequate facilities, and wouldn’t put public safety at risk.
During the meeting, opinions were sharply divided. Of the twelve people who testified, seven spoke against the permit, four spoke in favor, and one asked a clarifying question.
Among the opponents was Katie Cornwell of the Seward Prevention Coalition, who warned that selling coffee and cannabis at a drive-thru window risked normalizing drug use for children.
“As a community, we cannot ignore that early substance use is the pathway to nearly all adult addiction, and that youth are far more likely to use when cannabis is visible, convenient, and woven into their daily routines. A drive-thru that sells coffee and snacks to minors while also dispensing cannabis to adults creates a direct youth pipeline — the business is intentionally building brand familiarity and future clientele by blurring the very boundaries that keep kids safe. This isn’t harmless; it increases youth exposure, increases youth use, and ultimately leads to more adults in our community struggling with substance dependency.”
-Katie Cornwell, Director of Seward Prevention Coalition
Other critics questioned whether the proposal aligned with the city’s Comprehensive Plan, arguing that Seward’s goals of encouraging healthy lifestyles and supporting families should take precedence over expanding business options. There were concerns, too, about visibility, convenience, and the risk of increased traffic at an already tricky intersection.
Supporters of the measure presented a different perspective. Tufted Puffin submitted nearly 100 signatures in favor of the drive-thru, and several community members highlighted the economic benefits of the business. Randy Wells, owner of Tufted Puffin, emphasized the rigorous state regulations governing drive-thru marijuana sales.
“AMCO has very strict regulations concerning marijuana. To offer drive-thru service, a retail licensee must submit an operating plan or modification to AMCO for approval, including video surveillance coverage for the drive-thru area. Orders may be placed online or by phone, but all orders must be paid for and picked up in person by the same customer. No marijuana or products can be displayed at the drive-thru window. Before completing a sale, staff will physically check each consumer’s valid photo ID, and every person in the vehicle must be 21 or older*. Cameras will record the entire transaction at the window, including the ID check.”
-Randy Wells, Owner of Tufted Puffin
The commission itself weighed pros and cons. Commissioner Clare Sullivan saw potential benefits for medical marijuana patients or those seeking privacy, as well as the time savings and additional security for employees. She also noted that many products for sale, such as topical creams, are non-intoxicating.
Still, she acknowledged the strong community objections and traffic concerns at the intersection. Commissioner Rhonda Hubbard argued that the Port Avenue location is among Seward’s most challenging intersections, and June Pemberton called for a review of projected traffic, especially with more cruise ship passengers expected next summer.
Despite this, a suggestion to postpone the decision failed. The commission voted five to one in favor of granting the conditional use permit, clearing the way for Seward’s first drive-thru cannabis window at the Tufted Puffin.
For supporters and opponents alike, the meeting underscored how complex and unresolved the issue remains, not just in the city code, but in Seward’s ongoing debate over what kind of community it wants to be.
*Clarification:
AMCO specifies, “All individuals in the vehicle must be 21 or older, except the consumer’s own child/grandchild/ward under seven years old in a car seat as required by law.”
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