THE WMUR GRANITE STATE POLL

THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE SURVEY CENTER

February 12, 2013 HIGH SUPPORT FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA, OPINIONS DIVIDED ABOUT NORTHERN PASS By: Andrew E. Smith, Ph.D. Chad S. Novak, M.A. UNH Survey Center www.unh.edu/survey-center 603/862-2226

DURHAM, NH There is strong support for legalizing marijuana for medical use in New Hampshire but Granite Staters are divided over legalization for recreational use. Opposition to the Northern Pass project has increased somewhat, but New Hampshire is still divided over the project. These findings are based on the latest WMUR Granite State Poll, conducted by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center. Five hundred and eighty-one (581) randomly selected New Hampshire adults were interviewed by landline and cellular telephone between January 30 and February 5, 2013. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 4.1 percent. Marijuana Legalization In November, voters in several states passed initiatives legalizing marijuana for medical use, including Massachusetts. Additionally, voters in Washington and Colorado passed ballot measures that would legalize marijuana for personal recreational use. In response to these popular initiatives, the federal Department of Justice is reconsidering how or if it will enforce federal marijuana laws. A bill that would legalize marijuana for medical use passed the New Hampshire legislature in 2011, but was vetoed by then Governor Lynch. Recently, Governor Maggie Hassan has signaled that she would support a medical marijuana bill. In New Hampshire, there is strong support for legalizing marijuana for medical purposes with 79% saying they would support medical marijuana (57% strongly and 22% somewhat), only 14% oppose this (11% strongly and 3% somewhat), and 6% are neutral or dont know. Support for medical marijuana legalization is strongest among liberals (93%) and Democrats (89%). And while majorities support legalization of medical marijuana, opposition is highest among Republicans (27%), Tea Party supporters (24%), and conservatives (21%). Support for legalization of marijuana for recreational use is significantly lower -- 48% of New Hampshire adults support legalization for recreational use (31% strongly and 17% somewhat), 45% oppose (37% strongly and 8% somewhat), and 7% are neutral or dont know. Support for recreational marijuana legalization is strongest among liberals (70%), Democrats (62%), listeners of NH Public Radio (66%), and Boston Globe readers (65%). Opposition is strongest among Republicans (59%), conservatives (59%), Tea Party supporters (60%), and older adults (56%).

We ask that this copyrighted information be referred to as the Granite State Poll, sponsored by WMUR-TV, and conducted by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center.

100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 79%

Support for Marijuana Legalization

48%

45%

14% 6% 7% Oppose

0% Support Neutral/Don't Know Medical Use Recreational Use

However, there is suspicion among New Hampshire adults about whether marijuana legalization in other states has been used for primarily medical purposes, 46% think that it is being used for its intended medical purposes, but 33% think it is being used for other purposes and 21% are not sure. Democrats and independents are most likely to believe that it is being used for medical purposes while Republicans are more suspicious. Medical Marijuana In Other States Being Used For Intended Purpose

100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 46%

55% 54% 45% 33% 33% 28%

23%

21% 18% 23% 22%

Used To Alleviate Suffering from Being Used for Other Reasons Don't Know Serious Medical Illnesses All NH Adults Democrats Independents Republicans

An additional question was asked to determine if New Hampshire supports the concept of treating the sale of marijuana like the state handles the sale of alcohol. More than half of Granite Staters (56%) approve of the selling marijuana at state liquor stores and taxing it at rates similar to how alcohol is taxed, 39% oppose this idea, and 5% are unsure. Democrats are most likely to support this concept while Republicans are most likely to oppose. Approve Of Marijuana Being Sold At State Liquor Stores and Taxed At Liquor Levels

100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0%

66% 56% 54% 44% 39% 27% 5% Approve All NH Adults 7% 4% 5% Disapprove Republicans 41% 51%

Neutral/DK Democrats Independents

Northern Pass Another controversial issue facing the state is the proposed Northern Pass project which would bring hydro-power electricity from Canada through New Hampshire on high tension wires. However, many New Hampshire residents, particularly those in the North Country, have expressed strong opposition to the project. Despite the publicity over Northern Pass, awareness is still fairly low. Only 14% of New Hampshire adults say they are very familiar with Northern Pass, 43% are somewhat familiar, 17% are not very familiar, and 26% are not familiar at all. Awareness has remained largely stable in the past year.

50% 45% 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% Very Familiar 9% 13% 14% 36%

Familiarity with Northern Pass

41%

43% 35% 25% 26% 18% 20% 17%

2% 1% 0% Somewhat Familiar Not Very Familiar Not At All Familiar April, 2011 February, 2012 February, 2013 Don't Know

When asked if they support or oppose Northern Pass, attitudes remain mixed. Currently, 35% of New Hampshire adults who are familiar with Northern Pass support the project (16% strongly support and 19% somewhat support), 43% oppose the project (25% strongly oppose and 18% somewhat oppose), and 22% are neutral or dont know enough to say. There has been a slight drop in support for Northern Pass since last February. Support for Northern Pass

50% 45% 40% 35% 30% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% Strongly Support Somewhat Support April, 2011 Neutral / DK Somewhat Oppose February, 2013 Strongly Oppose 14% 19% 16% 16% 19% 26% 21% 22% 18% 15% 14% 23% 23% 25%

February, 2012

Granite State Poll Methodology These findings are based on the latest WMUR Granite State Poll, conducted by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center. Five hundred and eighty-one (581) randomly selected New Hampshire adults were interviewed by landline and cellular telephone between January 30 and February 5, 2013. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 4.1 percent. The data have been weighted to adjust for numbers of adults and telephone lines within households, respondent sex, and region of the state. In addition to potential sampling error, all surveys have other potential sources of non-sampling error including question order effects, question wording effects, and non-response. Marijuana Legalization Lets change topics again "Do you support or oppose allowing doctors in New Hampshire to prescribe small amounts of marijuana for patients suffering from serious illnesses?" Feb. 13 57% 22% 5% 3% 11% 1% (578)

Strongly Support Somewhat Support Neutral Somewhat Oppose Strongly Oppose Dont Know (N=)

"Do you support or oppose legalizing the possession of small amounts of marijuana for personal recreational use in New Hampshire?" Feb. 13 31% 17% 6% 8% 37% 1% (578)

Strongly Support Somewhat Support Neutral Somewhat Oppose Strongly Oppose Dont Know (N=)

"As you may know, several other states allow doctors to prescribe small amounts of marijuana to patients suffering from serious illnesses. Do you think most of the marijuana that is purchased through state authorized medical marijuana programs is being used to alleviate suffering from serious medical illnesses, or do you think most of it is being used for other reasons?" Feb. 13 46% 33% 21% (575)

Alleviate suffering from serious medical illnesses Being used for other reasons Dont Know (N=)

If small amounts of marijuana were legalized for personal use in New Hampshire, would you approve or disapprove of marijuana being sold at state liquor stores and taxed at levels similar to alcohol or tobacco? Feb. 13 40% 16% 3% 6% 33% 2% (577)

Strongly Approve Somewhat Approve Neutral Somewhat Disapprove Strongly Disapprove Dont Know (N=)

Northern Pass Lets change the subject again. How familiar are you with an electrical transmission project called the Northern Pass project? Would you say you are very familiar with it somewhat familiar not very familiar or not at all familiar?

Very Familiar Somewhat Familiar Not Very Familiar Not At All Familiar Dont Know / No Opinion (N=)

Apr. 11 9% 36% 18% 35% 2% (502)

Feb. 12 13% 41% 20% 25% 1% (527)

Feb. 13 14% 43% 17% 26% 0% (580)

Based on what you have seen or heard, would you say you support or oppose the Northern Pass project? Is that strongly or just somewhat? Apr. 11 14% 19% 30% 15% 23% (316) Feb. 12 16% 26% 21% 14% 23% (383) Feb. 13 16% 19% 22% 18% 25% (428)

Strongly Support Somewhat Support Neutral/Dont Know Somewhat Oppose Strongly Oppose (N=)

Support/Oppose Marijuana For Medical Use Strongly Support 57% 76% 59% 35% 74% 59% 39% 79% 58% 43% 45% 44% 71% 72% 55% 52% 67% 55% 71% 61% 55% 63% 51% 52% 63% 54% 57% 62% 53% 44% 49% 60% 64% 74% 51% 65% 56% 52% 57% 53% 61% Somewhat Support 22% 13% 24% 30% 15% 24% 28% 14% 19% 32% 26% 29% 16% 13% 23% 23% 19% 24% 16% 14% 27% 17% 26% 25% 19% 23% 20% 20% 26% 21% 30% 25% 19% 13% 21% 20% 23% 29% 22% 26% 19% Somewhat Oppose 3% 0% 4% 7% 2% 4% 5% 0% 5% 4% 3% 6% 3% 5% 3% 2% 2% 4% 2% 4% 2% 5% 4% 4% 3% 4% 3% 5% 2% 5% 5% 3% 2% 1% 5% 3% 3% 3% 4% 3% 4% Strongly Oppose 11% 7% 6% 23% 3% 7% 22% 2% 11% 17% 21% 12% 5% 5% 12% 17% 4% 12% 7% 11% 12% 9% 13% 13% 9% 16% 13% 8% 10% 18% 11% 8% 9% 3% 16% 5% 12% 10% 15% 13% 10% Don't Know 1% 0% 1% 3% 1% 2% 1% 0% 2% 1% 2% 3% 1% 2% 1% 1% 0% 1% 1% 3% 0% 1% 2% 1% 2% 2% 3% 1% 1% 3% 1% 1% 1% 0% 3% 3% 1% 1% 0% 0% 2%

STATEWIDE Registered Democrat Registered Undeclared Registered Republican Democrat Independent Republican Liberal Moderate Conservative Support Tea Party Neutral Oppose Tea Party Union household Non union Read Union Leader Read Boston Globe Watch WMUR Listen to NHPR 18 to 34 35 to 49 50 to 64 65 and over Male Female High school or less Some college College graduate Post graduate Attend services 1 or more/week 1 2 times a month Less often Never North Country Central / Lakes Connecticut Valley Mass Border Seacoast Manchester Area First Cong. Dist. Second Cong. Dist.

Neutral 5% 4% 6% 3% 5% 4% 4% 5% 6% 2% 3% 7% 5% 3% 5% 5% 8% 5% 3% 7% 4% 4% 5% 6% 4% 2% 6% 4% 7% 8% 5% 3% 4% 8% 5% 4% 5% 5% 3% 5% 5%

(N=) 578 151 237 147 239 114 214 138 231 177 113 173 261 63 511 166 77 391 196 87 133 181 160 284 294 118 116 222 120 137 69 156 205 44 103 90 161 88 92 253 325

Support/Oppose Marijuana For Recreational Use Strongly Support 31% 43% 32% 19% 42% 30% 22% 48% 32% 20% 21% 23% 41% 33% 31% 30% 42% 29% 43% 46% 36% 32% 19% 36% 27% 37% 33% 29% 29% 13% 27% 31% 44% 42% 30% 42% 22% 24% 42% 28% 34% Somewhat Support 17% 20% 20% 13% 20% 21% 13% 22% 16% 16% 14% 14% 21% 16% 17% 14% 23% 16% 23% 11% 21% 19% 18% 18% 16% 12% 13% 19% 24% 11% 15% 23% 19% 12% 16% 18% 22% 21% 8% 19% 16% Somewhat Oppose 8% 6% 6% 13% 6% 7% 11% 5% 7% 12% 11% 9% 6% 8% 8% 9% 9% 8% 6% 8% 7% 7% 10% 10% 6% 2% 11% 10% 8% 7% 14% 8% 6% 9% 7% 11% 8% 8% 6% 7% 9% Strongly Oppose 37% 26% 33% 49% 26% 36% 48% 18% 37% 47% 49% 46% 25% 34% 37% 43% 23% 41% 24% 26% 32% 35% 46% 30% 43% 45% 36% 36% 31% 61% 41% 28% 25% 31% 44% 21% 38% 42% 39% 39% 35% Don't Know 1% 1% 0% 1% 0% 2% 0% 1% 1% 0% 0% 1% 1% 2% 0% 1% 1% 0% 0% 0% 1% 1% 0% 1% 1% 0% 0% 1% 1% 1% 0% 1% 0% 0% 1% 2% 0% 1% 0% 0% 1%

STATEWIDE Registered Democrat Registered Undeclared Registered Republican Democrat Independent Republican Liberal Moderate Conservative Support Tea Party Neutral Oppose Tea Party Union household Non union Read Union Leader Read Boston Globe Watch WMUR Listen to NHPR 18 to 34 35 to 49 50 to 64 65 and over Male Female High school or less Some college College graduate Post graduate Attend services 1 or more/week 1 2 times a month Less often Never North Country Central / Lakes Connecticut Valley Mass Border Seacoast Manchester Area First Cong. Dist. Second Cong. Dist.

Neutral 6% 4% 9% 4% 6% 4% 6% 6% 8% 4% 5% 7% 6% 6% 6% 3% 2% 6% 4% 9% 3% 6% 7% 5% 7% 5% 6% 5% 8% 6% 3% 8% 6% 6% 3% 7% 9% 4% 5% 6% 6%

(N=) 580 151 238 147 239 115 214 138 231 177 113 174 261 65 512 168 77 393 196 87 133 181 160 284 296 119 117 222 120 139 69 156 205 44 105 90 161 88 92 253 327

Medical Marijuana In Other States Being Used for Medicinal Purposes or Other Purposes Alleviate Suffering From Serious Medical Illnesses 46% 54% 49% 33% 55% 54% 33% 57% 44% 40% 40% 36% 54% 52% 45% 41% 51% 47% 52% 47% 50% 51% 37% 43% 49% 48% 38% 50% 45% 44% 45% 44% 48% 69% 40% 46% 45% 45% 44% 42% 49% Being Used For Other Reasons 33% 29% 28% 46% 28% 23% 45% 27% 33% 39% 40% 38% 29% 31% 34% 41% 28% 33% 31% 41% 33% 29% 34% 41% 26% 32% 41% 30% 32% 35% 32% 37% 30% 20% 40% 31% 31% 36% 36% 37% 30%

STATEWIDE Registered Democrat Registered Undeclared Registered Republican Democrat Independent Republican Liberal Moderate Conservative Support Tea Party Neutral Oppose Tea Party Union household Non union Read Union Leader Read Boston Globe Watch WMUR Listen to NHPR 18 to 34 35 to 49 50 to 64 65 and over Male Female High school or less Some college College graduate Post graduate Attend services 1 or more/week 1 2 times a month Less often Never North Country Central / Lakes Connecticut Valley Mass Border Seacoast Manchester Area First Cong. Dist. Second Cong. Dist.

Dont Know 21% 17% 23% 21% 18% 23% 22% 16% 23% 22% 21% 26% 17% 17% 21% 18% 20% 20% 18% 12% 17% 21% 29% 16% 25% 20% 21% 20% 23% 21% 22% 19% 22% 11% 20% 23% 24% 19% 20% 20% 21%

(N=) 575 148 238 146 236 115 213 136 230 176 113 172 258 64 508 168 77 390 194 87 133 180 159 282 293 119 116 220 119 135 69 156 204 44 105 89 158 87 92 252 324

Approve/Disapprove of Marijuana Being Sold At State Liquor Stores Strongly Approve 40% 48% 42% 29% 48% 43% 28% 59% 45% 20% 31% 30% 50% 45% 39% 38% 52% 37% 49% 46% 42% 45% 28% 44% 36% 38% 42% 38% 41% 22% 34% 46% 49% 46% 33% 45% 36% 41% 44% 40% 39% Somewhat Approve 16% 18% 16% 16% 18% 11% 16% 17% 12% 20% 17% 19% 15% 10% 17% 12% 13% 16% 17% 13% 19% 14% 17% 19% 12% 8% 12% 19% 21% 17% 17% 16% 15% 14% 19% 16% 15% 17% 14% 16% 15% Somewhat Disapprove 6% 6% 5% 7% 4% 8% 6% 5% 6% 6% 5% 8% 5% 5% 6% 4% 5% 6% 6% 3% 8% 5% 7% 6% 6% 4% 4% 9% 6% 2% 6% 6% 8% 2% 7% 9% 5% 5% 7% 7% 6% Strongly Disapprove 33% 23% 31% 46% 23% 33% 45% 14% 32% 46% 43% 38% 24% 34% 33% 41% 28% 37% 25% 33% 24% 30% 43% 27% 39% 43% 36% 30% 28% 52% 39% 27% 23% 33% 38% 22% 38% 35% 28% 31% 35% Don't Know 2% 3% 2% 1% 3% 1% 2% 1% 3% 4% 2% 3% 3% 5% 2% 4% 1% 2% 1% 1% 5% 2% 1% 2% 3% 3% 3% 2% 2% 3% 1% 3% 2% 0% 1% 4% 1% 1% 7% 3% 2%

STATEWIDE Registered Democrat Registered Undeclared Registered Republican Democrat Independent Republican Liberal Moderate Conservative Support Tea Party Neutral Oppose Tea Party Union household Non union Read Union Leader Read Boston Globe Watch WMUR Listen to NHPR 18 to 34 35 to 49 50 to 64 65 and over Male Female High school or less Some college College graduate Post graduate Attend services 1 or more/week 1 2 times a month Less often Never North Country Central / Lakes Connecticut Valley Mass Border Seacoast Manchester Area First Cong. Dist. Second Cong. Dist.

Neutral 3% 3% 4% 2% 4% 3% 3% 4% 3% 4% 3% 3% 4% 2% 3% 1% 1% 2% 2% 4% 2% 3% 4% 2% 4% 5% 2% 3% 3% 4% 3% 2% 4% 6% 2% 5% 6% 1% 0% 2% 4%

(N=) 577 150 237 146 238 114 213 137 231 176 113 172 260 65 509 167 77 393 194 87 133 180 158 284 293 119 117 222 117 137 69 156 203 44 105 88 160 88 91 250 326

Familiar with Northern Pass Very Familiar 14% 12% 16% 15% 16% 12% 14% 14% 14% 14% 14% 11% 17% 17% 14% 18% 16% 16% 17% 5% 12% 16% 19% 19% 9% 11% 12% 15% 18% 16% 15% 12% 15% 27% 21% 17% 7% 17% 7% 14% 14% Somewhat Familiar 43% 44% 44% 45% 44% 46% 40% 44% 43% 44% 47% 39% 45% 39% 43% 45% 39% 44% 47% 34% 45% 48% 41% 43% 42% 35% 49% 42% 46% 35% 48% 44% 44% 50% 51% 41% 41% 38% 40% 43% 42% Not Very Familiar 17% 21% 14% 20% 16% 19% 17% 18% 16% 17% 13% 23% 16% 22% 17% 17% 19% 18% 12% 16% 19% 16% 17% 16% 19% 12% 13% 22% 19% 18% 14% 22% 15% 13% 16% 17% 15% 13% 30% 18% 17% Not At All Familiar 26% 23% 27% 19% 24% 23% 29% 24% 26% 24% 27% 26% 22% 22% 26% 19% 26% 22% 23% 43% 24% 20% 23% 21% 30% 43% 25% 22% 17% 31% 22% 22% 25% 9% 12% 25% 37% 33% 22% 24% 27% Dont Know 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 1% 0% 0% 0% 1% 0% 1% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 1% 1% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 1% 0% 0% 0% 2% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 1% 0% 0%

STATEWIDE Registered Democrat Registered Undeclared Registered Republican Democrat Independent Republican Liberal Moderate Conservative Support Tea Party Neutral Oppose Tea Party Union household Non union Read Union Leader Read Boston Globe Watch WMUR Listen to NHPR 18 to 34 35 to 49 50 to 64 65 and over Male Female High school or less Some college College graduate Post graduate Attend services 1 or more/week 1 2 times a month Less often Never North Country Central / Lakes Connecticut Valley Mass Border Seacoast Manchester Area First Cong. Dist. Second Cong. Dist.

(N=) 580 151 238 147 239 115 214 138 231 177 113 174 261 65 512 168 77 393 196 87 133 181 160 284 296 119 117 222 120 139 69 156 205 44 105 90 161 88 92 253 327

Support/Oppose Northern Pass Strongly Support 16% 10% 19% 17% 11% 18% 21% 9% 17% 20% 20% 14% 15% 14% 16% 21% 19% 18% 12% 18% 15% 16% 18% 20% 12% 28% 17% 13% 12% 10% 31% 16% 15% 9% 16% 19% 16% 17% 18% 19% 15% Somewhat Support 19% 12% 17% 27% 15% 21% 22% 18% 18% 22% 24% 23% 16% 9% 20% 20% 20% 19% 19% 17% 22% 19% 17% 23% 15% 14% 22% 19% 20% 21% 28% 22% 12% 10% 19% 12% 28% 21% 16% 18% 20% Neutral/ Somewhat Dont Know Oppose 22% 18% 26% 22% 16% 25% 25% 16% 23% 26% 15% 13% 23% 24% 34% 20% 24% 27% 20% 20% 18% 23% 22% 20% 14% 29% 22% 14% 25% 21% 30% 20% 21% 18% 9% 22% 24% 21% 16% 32% 20% 23% 23% 18% 17% 21% 12% 20% 24% 16% 18% 20% 19% 17% 22% 18% 16% 8% 18% 20% 22% 18% 19% 17% 16% 21% 14% 23% 17% 20% 13% 7% 21% 25% 30% 20% 12% 17% 20% 16% 22% 16% Strongly Oppose 25% 29% 25% 23% 28% 24% 22% 25% 24% 24% 23% 21% 28% 20% 25% 20% 26% 25% 28% 25% 22% 25% 27% 27% 22% 22% 25% 25% 26% 27% 14% 20% 30% 42% 23% 34% 17% 26% 18% 22% 27%

STATEWIDE Registered Democrat Registered Undeclared Registered Republican Democrat Independent Republican Liberal Moderate Conservative Support Tea Party Neutral Oppose Tea Party Union household Non union Read Union Leader Read Boston Globe Watch WMUR Listen to NHPR 18 to 34 35 to 49 50 to 64 65 and over Male Female High school or less Some college College graduate Post graduate Attend services 1 or more/week 1 2 times a month Less often Never North Country Central / Lakes Connecticut Valley Mass Border Seacoast Manchester Area First Cong. Dist. Second Cong. Dist.

(N=) 428 114 175 118 180 88 151 103 170 133 82 128 200 49 377 136 57 303 151 48 101 142 122 220 208 67 87 174 98 94 53 121 153 40 93 67 98 59 71 190 238