High Hopes: NH Rolling Towards Legalizing Marijuana?

CONCORD, NH- On Jan. 30, Former Rhode Island Congressman Patrick Kennedy, a self-confessed alcoholic, passionately urged the New Hampshire Legislature to reject legalization of marijuana in favor of more spending on substance-abuse treatment and youth education. 

Kennedy and former White House drug policy czar Kevin Sabet spoke at the Legislative Office Building and New Hampshire Institute of Politics. With the two, numerous public health advocates and supporters of New Futures, a nonprofit organization that works to reduce New Hampshire substance abuse problems, spoke against legalizing marijuana. To get involved or to find out more information about New Futures visit http://www.new-futures.org.

New Hampshire is the 20th state to set up a Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) agenda. Marijuana legalization recently passed in the NH House of Representatives. Kennedy warned that Wall Street would create marketing chaos, hawking marijuana not unlike cigarettes in the past and flavored alcohol in recent years. This potentially sets up more problems for public health advocates, parents, and children.

Sabet said hundreds of millions of dollars were being spent "cleaning up the mess" legalized substances like alcohol, cigarettes, and prescription drugs have created. He thinks the state that should consider before legalizing marijuana and creating more problems.

Sabet referenced the half a million deaths a year caused by legal prescription drugs, alcohol, and tobacco abuse. He believes adding marijuana to that list would cause that number to grow.

Tym Rourke from the NH Governor's Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention, Intervention, and Treatment spoke at the press conference about the tax implications of legalization. He warned that state alcohol funds for treatment are regularly raided to pay for other things. Only once in the past 14 years have the funds set aside for treatment been fully funded. "Money should be set aside for more substance abuse treatment, not less," said Rourke. 

"All I would say to New Hampshire is slow down on the road to legalization of marijuana. Marijuana strength has become greater in recent years and studies have showed it leads to lower scores on IQ tests by youths who are frequent users," said Kennedy.

If marijuana becomes legal, the Department of Revenue reported the sales would generate $26.6 million in state profits a year at the low end and up to $39.9 million. The state would license sellers, and any store locations would be subject to all zoning or site plan approvals required in a city or town.

The ultimate survival of the bill (HB 492) is considered impossible because NH Gov. Maggie Hassan has vowed to veto any drug legalization bills that arrive on her desk.

Proponents of marijuana argue that because tobacco and alcohol are legal and taxed, marijuana should fall in the same boat siting studies showing it can be less harmful and less addicting than both.

"It's less dangerous than alcohol and cigarettes, so I think it should be legal. New Hampshire's motto is 'Live Free or Die,' and I think this would fit in with that," said senior Shannon McKane. "Considering the amount of states that at least have medicinal marijuana, I'm not surprised that NH is starting to head in the same direction."

NH is currently the only state in New England where possession of small amounts of marijuana can subject someone to serve up to a year in county jail. Prior to this month, the NH House had never passed a bill to legalize and tax marijuana.

There are currently 20 States in the US that allow medical marijuana, including NH. According to NH House Bill 573,  "A qualifying patient shall not obtain more than 2 ounces of usable cannabis directly or through the qualifying patient's designated caregiver during a 10-day period." The state has not yet created rules governing the sale of medical marijuana at up to four care centers.

"I can see the benefit to having marijuana legalized when it comes to a medical standpoint with cancer patients. I have seen countless documentaries and patient testimonies verifying how much smoking marijuana helps their appetite and decreases their overall pain and discomfort," said junior Micah Dion.

"I think that if it is regulated correctly, it is a great idea. I think it is a giant step in the war on drugs. When used correctly, marijuana is a wonderful drug. It will also cut down unnecessary arrests," said junior Dominique Perrin. 

"I believe it should be legalized because the marijuana tax act of 1937 that criminalized marijuana was based on racial prejudice and incomplete and biased medical studies," said junior Ali Cremonini. "In order to progress as a society and a country, it is time to let go of old-fashioned and highly controversial laws that are proven to be ineffective deterrents to users." 

New Hampshire's House has given preliminary approval to legalizing up to 1 ounce of marijuana for recreational use for anyone age 21 and older. Supporters of the bill said it was modeled after the one approved by Colorado voters last year and is similar to one Washington voters passed. New Hampshire could receive $30 million in tax revenue.

On Wed., Jan. 29, the House voted 170-162 to send the bill to its tax committee. The bill proposes taxing the drug when it is sold at retail at a rate of $30 per ounce and letting people grow up to six marijuana plants in a controlled environment.

"Users have and always will use, regardless of the law. Furthermore, law enforcement resources previously used to prosecute marijuana offenders could be put to better use. New Hampshire residents could sleep well at night knowing their tax dollars are well spent on agreed upon, justified causes," said Cremonini.

Opponents argued marijuana is bad for people's health, would be difficult to regulate, and is illegal under federal law. 

"There are already too many people driving under the influence and getting into car accidents right now, so why should we allow for even more potential accidents?" said an anonymous PSU Student. "At the rate this country is going I don't even feel safe allowing my future kids to get their licenses. It's becoming more dangerous."

The argument over legalizing and regulating marijuana ensues. Some feel it will bring the nation's largest cash crop under the rule of law, creating jobs and economic opportunities. State and local governments would acquire significant new sources of tax revenue from regulating marijuana sales. 

"It could potentially cause a stir with those who already sell marijuana," said another anonymous PSU student. "There might be some retaliation. Once it is sold legally, what will happen with those who are selling it illegally now?" 

Others find that the drug is addictive, impairs cognitive processes such as driving and speaking, leads to stupid and irresponsible behavior. 

"I believe in giving people the freedom of choice. Yes, inhaling any type of smoke is not good for your lungs, and that is something that is a big con for me as well. But the fact that cigarettes are legal and have a multitude of carcinogens, tar, rat poison and are still allowed on the market blows my mind," said Dion.