Poll: 53% of Americans support legalization of marijuana

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

The legalization of marijuana ... is supported by 53 per cent of respondents. Less than one-in-ten Americans would consent to the legalization of other drugs, such as ecstasy, powder cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine or “crystal meth”, and crack cocaine. Two-thirds of respondents (68%) believe the "War on Drugs"—the efforts of the U.S. government to reduce the illegal drug trade—has been a failure.

http://www.visioncritical.com/wp-content/u...09_Drugs_US.pdf

[NickD 203]

The legalization of marijuana ... is supported by 53 per cent of respondents. Less than one-in-ten Americans would consent to the legalization of other drugs, such as ecstasy, powder cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine or "crystal meth", and crack cocaine. Two-thirds of respondents (68%) believe the "War on Drugs"—the efforts of the U.S. government to reduce the illegal drug trade—has been a failure.

http://www.visioncritical.com/wp-content/u...09_Drugs_US.pdf

Doesn't make a damn bit of difference if 99% supported it, it's a good way for our enforcement and politicians to make a couple of extra bucks.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Doesn't make a damn bit of difference if 99% supported it, it's a good way for our enforcement and politicians to make a couple of extra bucks.

Too true!

[Ban Hammer 13,352]

be careful what you wish for, you just might get it.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Poll: 53% of Americans support legalization of marijuana, 68% say the War on Drugs = failure

That's because most Americans are high on drugs. But just because momma is addicted to hydrocodone, and daddy is smoking meth amphetamine to balance his drinking habit, and your older sister uses ecstasy every time she goes clubbing, and your little brother has a marijuana problem, that doesn't make it a good idea.

Edited January 17, 2010 by Lone Ranger

[SuperDuper! 230]

The fact is, MJ is quasi-legal in about a dozen states at this point. THe politicians are quietly reaping sales tax dollars on it that NO ONE wants to talk about. CA is leading the way with "Oaksterdam" being ground zero for full legalization at this point. CA will have initiative on the ballot in Nov to tax MJ for $50/oz. Its coming, folks.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

68% say the War on Drugs = failure

Which begs the question what the remaining 32% are smoking.

[alienlovechild 75]

The legalization of marijuana ... is supported by 53 per cent of respondents.

Assuming these polls are accurate, why there's been such a big shift in the last six months? I necessarily buy that as the legalization numbers have been at 31% last year and they were 27% 30 years ago. Seems fairly consistent.

High employment= time to get high? Need to raise taxes to pay for our growing government?

"A CBS News Poll released today finds that 41 percent of Americans think the use of marijuana should be made legal. Fifty-two percent disagree.

The percentage supporting legalization has varied a bit recently. In March of this year 31 percent favored legalization but the number was higher in January at 41 percent, matching what it is now.

Thirty years ago just 27 percent thought the use of marijuana should be made legal."

http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/07/13/po...ry5154848.shtml

[AlHayatZween 2]

legalize it.

[SuperDuper! 230]

If the populace majority is for legalizing it, then surely the politicians will want to tax it!

[Ban Hammer 13,352]

a majority percentage thought obama would be a good president too

[natty bumppo 297]

a majority percentage thought obama would be a good president too

he is?

[DainandVicky 4]

Doesn't make a damn bit of difference if 99% supported it, it's a good way for our enforcement and politicians to make a couple of extra bucks.

They'd make more from taxing it instead of paying to house "criminals" who sold a few dime bags. The judicial system is clogged with marijuana cases, the jails are populated with marijuana dealers, there would be a huge REDUCTION of expense if they instead TAXED it, and they are figuring that out with the upswing in tax revenue from medical marijuana states.

It's directly because of that revelation that... "hey, we can make money off this" that the populace is becoming more tolerant of it, IMHO.

Plus, most of the adult population has tried it at this point as the aging WW2 generation is replaced by baby boomers. Or the few people that didn't try it themselves most at least knew someone who smoked it regularly and didn't turn into some huge criminal or try to fly off a building.

The biggest argument is still "it's a gateway drug". There's numerous studies that it's not as disabling to your reactions as alcohol, not as harmful to your health as prescription drugs.

My question is: would it be a "gateway drug" if you didn't have to deal with the counterculture to get it? If you could walk into your neighborhood hash bar (ala Amsterdam), would you really be in the situations of trying to act "cool" that lead to trying other harder drugs in the first place?

If the government wasn't so obviously lying about how harmful it was (did you ever watch the old propaganda films?), would you really start to wonder if the other drugs aren't so harmful as they are said to be as well, and therefore decide to take your own experimentations instead?

If we could just be a bit more honest about it from start to finish, I really don't think it would be a "gateway" drug. Put a warning sign on the wall of the hash bar-- "caution may cause you to laugh and feel relaxed" "may cause increased appreciation of music and art" "may increase appetite"

I don't smoke anymore, I tried it in college like most people. I'll still stand by the fact that it's relatively harmless. I'd rather be on the same road with someone who smoked a joint than someone who drank a 6 pack of beer, any day.

[alienlovechild 75]

If we could just be a bit more honest about it from start to finish, I really don't think it would be a "gateway" drug. Put a warning sign on the wall of the hash bar-- "caution may cause you to laugh and feel relaxed" "may cause increased appreciation of music and art" "may increase appetite"

I don't smoke anymore, I tried it in college like most people. I'll still stand by the fact that it's relatively harmless. I'd rather be on the same road with someone who smoked a joint than someone who drank a 6 pack of beer, any day.

May cause paranoia, bloodshot eyes, temporary stupidity, laziness. . .

I would rather ride in a car with someone who's high provided they had enough experience with weed rather than with drunk. The pothead might get lost or forget where he's going.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

You mean 32% of Americns think the war on drugs is successful?