Class of 1964 Policy Research Shop Testimony, April 16, 2018

CLASS OF 1964 POLICY RESEARCH SHOP STUDENT TESTIFIES BEFORE NEW HAMPSHIRE COMMISSION TO STUDY THE LEGALIZATION, REGULATION, AND TAXATION OF MARIJUANA.

On Monday, April 16, Class of 1964 Policy Research Shop student Christopher McCorkle '20 traveled to Concord, NH to testify before the New Hampshire Commission to Study the Legalization, Regulation, and Taxation of Marijuana, an active statutory committee made up of legislators from the NH House and Senate, a public member appointed by the governor, the NH Attorney General, and representatives from the NH DHHS, DOS, DAMF, DRA, Banking Department, Medical Society, and Association of Chiefs of Police. The presentation summarized the main findings of a PRS report written with Wyatt Williams '19, Tyler Work '20, and Christopher McCorkle '20 titled "Investigating Policy Options for Recreational Marijuana in New Hampshire," (PRS Policy Brief 1718-09) which they had researched and written at the request of Representative John Hunt, Chair of the Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee in the NH House.

The research used a case study approach with Colorado, Oregon, Nevada, Maine, and Massachusetts functioning as comparison states. The report and presentation contrasted current policies in these states with the proposed HB 640 which recently passed in the New Hampshire House. The analysis also reviewed how legalization of recreational marijuana has impacted DUI rates, underage use of marijuana, and tax revenue in these five states.