The Nelson A Rockefeller Center at Dartmouth College

The Nelson A. Rockefeller Center at Dartmouth College The Center for Public Policy and the Social Sciences The Class of 1964 Policy Research Shop Investigating Policy Options for Recreational Marijuana in New Hampshire Christopher Mc. Corkle, 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 50 th 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. 1/19

The Nelson A. Rockefeller Center at Dartmouth College The Center for Public Policy and the Social Sciences The Class of 1964 Policy Research Shop Purpose 1. What are major concerns with legalization? • Primarily in states with legal recreational use 2. How feasible are similar actions for New Hampshire? • How can NH mitigate concerns of legalization? 2/19

The Nelson A. Rockefeller Center at Dartmouth College The Center for Public Policy and the Social Sciences The Class of 1964 Policy Research Shop Methodology Ø State-by-State Comparison Ø Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, and Oregon Ø All have legalized use of recreational marijuana Ø Large availability of data Ø Similarities to NH demographics Ø Various Sources Ø Newspapers Ø Polling data Ø Statistics published by the evaluated states 3/19

The Nelson A. Rockefeller Center at Dartmouth College The Center for Public Policy and the Social Sciences The Class of 1964 Policy Research Shop Current New Hampshire Policy ØHB 573 – legalization of medical use - 2013 ØHB 640 – decriminalized possession - 2017 ØHB 656 – current bill under review ØAllows recreational use for those older than 21 Ø Possession up to three-quarters of an ounce ØPublic opinion uncertain Ø 53% say drug abuse is biggest issue in NH Ø 68% support legalization of marijuana 4/19

The Nelson A. Rockefeller Center at Dartmouth College The Center for Public Policy and the Social Sciences The Class of 1964 Policy Research Shop Timeline of Legislation Source: Prepared by Authors 5/19

The Nelson A. Rockefeller Center at Dartmouth College The Center for Public Policy and the Social Sciences The Class of 1964 Policy Research Shop Colorado Policy ØLegalized in 2012 Ø 55% voting in favor ØDispensaries not opened until 2014 ØPersonal use or transfer without payment legalized ØExcise tax of 15% ØSales tax of 15% 6/19

The Nelson A. Rockefeller Center at Dartmouth College The Center for Public Policy and the Social Sciences The Class of 1964 Policy Research Shop Oregon Policy ØLegalized in 2014 Ø 56% voting in favor ØDispensaries opened in 2015 ØPossession of up to 1 ounce for personal use ØPossession, sale, and use of marijuana ØSales tax of 17% ØOptional 3% local tax 7/19

The Nelson A. Rockefeller Center at Dartmouth College The Center for Public Policy and the Social Sciences The Class of 1964 Policy Research Shop Nevada Policy ØLegalized in 2016 Ø 55% voting in favor ØRecreational sale began in 2017 ØPeople over the age of 21 permitted to purchase up to 1 ounce ØAble to grow up to 12 plants per household Ø 15% excise tax Ø 10% retail tax 8/19

The Nelson A. Rockefeller Center at Dartmouth College The Center for Public Policy and the Social Sciences The Class of 1964 Policy Research Shop Massachusetts Policy ØLegalized in 2016 Ø 54% voting in favor ØRevision of the bill in July 2017 ØDispensaries set to open in July of 2018 ØAdults permitted to publicly posses 1 ounce, privately possess 10 ounces ØAble to grow up to 12 plants per household Ø 10. 75% excise tax Ø 6. 25% sales tax 9/19

The Nelson A. Rockefeller Center at Dartmouth College The Center for Public Policy and the Social Sciences The Class of 1964 Policy Research Shop Maine Policy ØLegalized in 2016 Ø 50. 3% approval ØRecreational sale to begin in spring 2019 ØPeople over the age of 21 permitted to purchase up to 2. 5 ounces ØAble to grow up to 12 plants per household ØExcise tax yet to be decided Ø 5. 5% sales tax 10/19

The Nelson A. Rockefeller Center at Dartmouth College The Center for Public Policy and the Social Sciences The Class of 1964 Policy Research Shop Underage Use ØLarge public concerns over the impact on children due to legalization Ø Fears that legalization will increase/ease illegal purchases by minors ØCO – underage use has fallen ØNational average has been consistently falling ØOR – no change in youth use ØMA – not yet evident ØNV – extreme efforts to prevent youth impact 11/19

The Nelson A. Rockefeller Center at Dartmouth College The Center for Public Policy and the Social Sciences The Class of 1964 Policy Research Shop Percent of minors that have used marijuana in the last 30 days Source: Prepared by Authors 12/19

The Nelson A. Rockefeller Center at Dartmouth College The Center for Public Policy and the Social Sciences The Class of 1964 Policy Research Shop Public Safety and Health ØIncreased DUIs ØCO – DUIs increased by 3% ØOR – 19% of adults and 50% of 11 th graders report driving after using marijuana ØDriving Fatalities ØIncreased sharply, few deaths solely marijuana intoxication ØIncrease in crime rates ØNo crime rate increase 13/19

The Nelson A. Rockefeller Center at Dartmouth College The Center for Public Policy and the Social Sciences The Class of 1964 Policy Research Shop Tax and Revenue Impact ØCO – revenue in 2015 was $135, 100, 465 Ø$35, 060, 590 went to school construction ØNV – revenue in 2017 was $8, 210, 000 ØME – estimated revenue of $29, 000 ØOR and MA – not yet reported/available 14/19