Mr. Welch,

As the Chairman of the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee, you have great responsibility in the representation of New Hampshire residents. You serve as our voice and decisions you make affect all citizens living in New Hampshire. I therefore must express my concern on your vote against the legalization of marijuana for recreational use.

As our nation faces an opioid crisis that is claiming the lives of those in its grip, our compatriots in states that have legalized recreational marijuana use have seen am improvement in addiction rates. This is thanks to a drug with less addictive properties than alcohol or cigarettes. Additionally, taxes associated with the marijuana industry can fund additional treatment centers, which will help New Hampshire residents already struggling with substance abuse.

Prejudices against marijuana use have long since been debunked by medical professionals who have deemed it beneficial to patients. Marijuana has been found to help with everything from severe seizures, mood disorders such as anxiety and depression, and pain management. I have personally found that responsible use of marijuana has helped me overcome severe anxiety and depression that once crippled me and caused me to become agoraphobic. I look back at those days with regret that I was not able to treat my own issues sooner because of an outdated policy.

While side-effects can be detrimental to adolescents who use marijuana on a regular basis, this is extremely similar to the side-effects found for teens who use alcohol. A sensible age-restricted policy for the purchase and use of marijuana would solve this issue, while still allowing adults to use it as they see fit.

We, the voting population of New Hampshire, identify ourselves with the motto "Live Free or Die". This is more than just a slogan. It means we deserve the freedom to make our own decisions, including with regards to marijuana use. With the growing acceptance of recreational marijuana use by other states, we deserve the ability to decide for ourselves what is right when it comes to the use of marijuana.

Sincerely,

Responsible New Hampshire residents and voters