1. 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.

2. 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?

3. 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

4. Current New Hampshire Policy
HB 573 – legalization of medical use
HB 640 – decriminalized possession
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

5. Timeline of Legislation
Source: Prepared by Authors

6. 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%

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

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

13. 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

14. 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