Christopher McCorkle, Tyler Work, and Wyatt Williams Investigating Policy Options for Recreational Marijuana in New Hampshire Christopher McCorkle, Tyler Work, and Wyatt Williams This report was written by undergraduate students at Dartmouth College under the direction of professors in the Rockefeller Center. Policy Research Shop (PRS) students produce non-partisan policy analyses and present their findings in a non-advocacy manner. The PRS is fully endowed by the Dartmouth Class of 1964 through a class gift in celebration of its 50th Anniversary given to the Center. This endowment ensures that the Policy Research Shop will continue to produce high-quality, non-partisan policy research for policymakers in New Hampshire and Vermont.

Purpose What are major concerns with legalization? Primarily in states with legal recreational use How feasible are similar actions for New Hampshire? How can NH mitigate concerns of legalization?

Methodology State-by-State Comparison Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, and Oregon All have legalized use of recreational marijuana Large availability of data Similarities to NH demographics Various Sources Newspapers Polling data Statistics published by the evaluated states

Current New Hampshire Policy HB 573 – legalization of medical use - 2013 HB 640 – decriminalized possession - 2017 HB 656 – current bill under review Allows recreational use for those older than 21 Possession up to three-quarters of an ounce Public opinion uncertain 53% say drug abuse is biggest issue in NH 68% support legalization of marijuana

Timeline of Legislation Source: Prepared by Authors

Colorado Policy Legalized in 2012 55% voting in favor Dispensaries not opened until 2014 Personal use or transfer without payment legalized Excise tax of 15% Sales tax of 15%

Oregon Policy Legalized in 2014 56% voting in favor Dispensaries opened in 2015 Possession of up to 1 ounce for personal use Possession, sale, and use of marijuana Sales tax of 17% Optional 3% local tax

Nevada Policy Legalized in 2016 55% voting in favor Recreational sale began in 2017 People over the age of 21 permitted to purchase up to 1 ounce Able to grow up to 12 plants per household 15% excise tax 10% retail tax

Massachusetts Policy Legalized in 2016 54% voting in favor Revision of the bill in July 2017 Dispensaries set to open in July of 2018 Adults permitted to publicly posses 1 ounce, privately possess 10 ounces Able to grow up to 12 plants per household 10.75% excise tax 6.25% sales tax

Maine Policy Legalized in 2016 50.3% approval Recreational sale to begin in spring 2019 People over the age of 21 permitted to purchase up to 2.5 ounces Able to grow up to 12 plants per household Excise tax yet to be decided 5.5% sales tax

Underage Use Large public concerns over the impact on children due to legalization Fears that legalization will increase/ease illegal purchases by minors CO – underage use has fallen National average has been consistently falling OR – no change in youth use MA – not yet evident NV – extreme efforts to prevent youth impact

Percent of minors that have used marijuana in the last 30 days Source: Prepared by Authors

Public Safety and Health Increased DUIs CO – DUIs increased by 3% OR – 19% of adults and 50% of 11th graders report driving after using marijuana Driving Fatalities Increased sharply, few deaths solely marijuana intoxication Increase in crime rates No crime rate increase

Tax and Revenue Impact CO – revenue in 2015 was $135,100,465 $35,060,590 went to school construction NV – revenue in 2017 was $8,210,000 ME – estimated revenue of $29,000,000 OR and MA – not yet reported/available