Pass the Bong...NH House to vote on Legalizing Weed...

[lilyelgato]

I've seen a lot of facts, partial facts, misinterpretations and completely whacky and unsubstantiated tidbits in this thread, so I have to set the record straight(er). First off, there have been no, 0, zilch, peer reviewed, credible scientific studies on the effects of pot to any part of the human anatomy because the scientific study of marijuana is illegal in the US. Some institutions are beginning to collect information, but the case histories are so short that no conclusions can be made beyond anecdotal observations. Secondly, while the state has determined that it will regulate retail pot sales, it is still up to the local jurisdictions as to whether or not they will allow retail sales, how much the sales will be taxed on a local level, and how the sales will be enforced. Some communities are looking at legalizing the sales due to the observed increase in municipal and county revenues, but most of them are putting it to their constituency as a ballot question, rather than having a council of 3 to 7 vote on such a big issue. Thus, there is no back door conspiracy against oil and gas through the legalization of weed, and many more companies are relocating to Colorado as opposed to leaving the state, due to legalization. Third, while I initially agreed with the observation that the excessive tax on weed would make the street sales go up and the retail sales peter off, this has yet to be the case. Anyone anywhere can grow up to six plants for their own personal use, but there are so many new strains that have been bred for specific qualities, that people are becoming loyal customers to specific retailers after finding their brand of choice. Weed has always been expensive due to risk, middle-men, etc. While the weed tax is high, the middle-men are mostly cut out as Colorado's pot regulations force the industry to be vertical monopolies, unlike Washington State where they are forced to be horizontal monopolies. The jury is still out on the pros and cons, but it's an interesting experiment to watch.

[TheProfessor]

I personally don't use any nor do I wish to.

But as so many others have stated, it is already here.

So legalize it and tax it. Period.

Casino.

I don't gamble nor do I wish to.

How short sighted those against such.
Some will always gamble.
And why not keep the proceeds provided by taxation and fees right here in New Hampshire?
Busloads of folks travel to these casinos out of state.
More lost revenue for New Hampshire.
More lost jobs for New Hampshire.

[PaugusBayFireFighter]

http://www.wmur.com/blob/view/-/2919...juana-poll.pdf

A new poll is out in New Hampshire which found growing support for marijuana legalization. New Hampshire is one of the leading states on my radar to legalize marijuana via the legislature between now and 2016. The poll was conducted by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center. Below are some of the findings:

Although New Hampshire has legalized marijuana for medical purposes, earlier this year the New Hampshire legislature defeated an effort to legalize marijuana for recreational use. There is growing support for legalizing recreational marijuana in New Hampshire — 59% now support legalizing marijuana for recreational use (34% strongly and 25% somewhat), 35% oppose (25% strongly and 10% somewhat), 5% are neutral and 2% are unsure. Support for legalization has increased 8 percentage points in the past year.

Support for recreational marijuana legalization is strongest among those who never attend church (71% support), Independents (71%) and Democrats (70%). Opposition is strongest among regular churchgoers (58% oppose), older residents (52%), and Republicans (50%).

If marijuana were legalized in the Granite State, three-quarters of New Hampshire residents (72%) approve of selling it at licensed retail outlets and taxing it, similar to how alcohol is sold (48% strongly and 24% somewhat), only 24% disapprove of this idea (19% strongly and 5% somewhat), 2% are neutral and 1% are unsure. Support for this taxing and selling marijuana like alcohol has steadily increased since 2013.

Young people (86%), liberals (82%), Democrats (80%) are most likely to approve of this concept while regular churchgoers (44% oppose), older adults (38%), and Tea Party supporters (35%) are most likely to disapprove.

When asked what they would prefer the state legislature to do with marijuana laws, 52% want marijuana legalized and taxed like alcohol, 19% want it decriminalized, 27% want to keep marijuana laws as they are now and 2% don’t know or are unsure. This has measure is unchanged since it was last asked in April.

Majorities of Democrats (56%) and Independents (66%) prefer legalizing and taxing marijuana, while Republicans are more divided on the issue as 39% prefer legalization and 40% prefer keeping laws the way they are now.

That’s a very extensive poll. If 59% of residents of a state support something, politicians should be all over it, marijuana or otherwise. Will New Hampshire legalize marijuana between now and 2016? Only time will tell, but I think the state has a great chance of joining Colorado and Washington, and hopefully Alaska, Oregon, and Washington D.C. too if the 2014 Election works out.



http://www.theweedblog.com/poll-supp...keeps-growing/

[Paugus bay girl]

Make it legal!!!!!!!!