Gallup Polls Find High Support For Legalizing Marijuana

[420]

Support for legalization of marijuana is quickly getting higher.

A local survey of whether people think marijuana should be legalized conducted on The Journal's Facebook page showed the majority of respondents support marijuana legalization, as did 50 percent of Americans according to a national Gallup survey conducted last month.

While half of Americans believe marijuana should become legal, 46 percent do not and 4 percent are undecided, according to Gallup.

A recent Facebook survey brought in 19 comments from current and past residents of the International Falls area showing support for legalization of marijuana in general or for medicinal purposes only. One respondent spoke against legalization.

"Legalize it -- tax it and pay off the national debt, or create some much-needed jobs," one local respondent wrote.

"It is the least harmful of any of the drugs currently being used for recreational purposes, including alcohol," said another. "The extraordinary amounts of tax dollars that are being spent in an attempt to win the war on recreational use could much better be used for many things."

That respondent added that the figures from the Gallup poll "may be close," but "the only way to know for sure is to put it to a vote on a national level. I believe the numbers would be much larger for legalization."

Gallup surveyed a total of more than 1,000 Americans from all 50 states. When Gallup first asked about legalizing marijuana in 1969, 12 percent of Americans favored it. Support remained low to the mid-1990s, but has crept up since, passing 30 percent in 2000 and 40 percent in 2009 before reaching the 50 percent level in this year's Gallup annual crime survey.

A local survey respondent on the Ifalls Journal Facebook page received many "likes" when she wrote, "Despite prohibition, marijuana is the largest cash crop in the U.S. The war on marijuana costs approximately 42 billion dollars annually, clogs up court systems and diverts attention from more serious crimes. Marijuana also has medicinal qualities, and is much safer and more effective than many pharmaceutical alternatives. Marijuana is non-toxic, non-addictive and is safer than alcohol, or tobacco. Taxing marijuana would channel money leaving the country that currently supports smuggling, and foreign drug cultivation to a U.S. government resource. Despite federal prohibition in the U.S., states are one-by-one legalizing it."

One local respondent was against legalization out of concern for children, writing, "It is a drug that impairs the mind! People can say what they want, but it's still a drug, keep it away from our kids and off the streets! People should be ashamed to think about legalizing it!!! Just ask yourself, would you want your kid smoking it then getting behind the wheel? I love my child more than that! ..I am guilty of trying marijuana and alcohol and it did have those affects on me! I have learned from this and hope I can teach my children along with other children not to use!"

Another local person suggested legalizing it and taxing it like alcohol and setting an age limit, saying "whether it's legal or not, people still have access to it."

A Gallup survey last year found that 70 percent of Americans favored making marijuana legal for doctors to prescribe in order to reduce pain. Americans have consistently been more likely to favor the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes than to favor its legalization generally, according to Gallup.

The local survey respondents echoed this, with one respondent writing, "I believe medical marijuana should be legal. People with chronic pain due to cancer, MS, life-changing injuries, etc. should have access to this medication." Another added, "The companies who make alcohol pay big money to government to keep it easily accessible to people. Marijuana has medical properties that can help people dealing with legitimate illnesses."

According to the advocacy group National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, marijuana is the third-most-popular recreational drug in America, behind only alcohol and tobacco.

Young people, ages 18-29, support the legalization at 69 percent while those over the age of 65 have a 31 percent approval rate of legalizing marijuana. The Gallup survey also found those living in the Midwest and West are more likely to favor legalization than those living in the South.

Some states have decriminalized marijuana's use, some have made it legal for medicinal use, and some officials, including former U.S. Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders, have called for legalizing its use, according to information from Gallup.

The Gallup results are summarized in a "bottom line" section, concluding, "If this current trend on legalizing marijuana continues, pressure may build to bring the nation's laws into compliance with the people's wishes."

Source: Journal, The (International Falls, MN)
Copyright: 2011 International Falls Journal
Contact: International Falls Journal - News, sports, politics and blogs from International Falls, Minnesota | 218-285-7411
Website: International Falls Journal - News, sports, politics and blogs from International Falls, Minnesota | 218-285-7411

 

[Llama]

If we could get that 69 % of 18-29 yr olds to vote.....I do believe that they could outnumber the 69% of 65 yr olds. I work in the recreational industry and deal with hundreds of people every year that are over 60. I do unscientific surveys with them (I ask them) about whether they believe mj should be legalized. Now these folks are successful in their careers and most are retired with a net worth over $2 mil.(mostly doctors, lawyers, and captains of industry) Most would be considered conservative with many liberal and independants in the mix. I pose the question like this.....do you think marijuana shoulb be legalized, controlled, and taxed? In three years I have posed that question to aproximately 300 people. I have only had seven men and 14 women who say it should remain illegal. The overwelming majority all agree that marijuana should be legalized. The most of the pro legalization group and all of the prohibition group think that most mmj is really a back door effort towards legalization. (Don't fry me, I'm just reaying information.) What this tells me is that if we could get a credible politician to get the legalization effort on the ballot, I think legaliztion would pass.

 

[budbro]

I know, what a conundrum. The young are the mass supporters of legalization yet they are the least likely to advocate and show up at the voting booths. While the older generation mostly oppose and they are highly involved in politics and show up in astonishing numbers to vote. They win!
I don't think a politician can refer a bill to be voted on by the American people and bypass congress. Can They?
To my knowledge there has only been a couple of national voter initiatives (non-marijuana) and they have to go through committees like any other bill where they get "squashed" and never make it to the ballot. I think that's why no one has ever tried that route.

 

[Llama]

Well Barney Frank and Ron Paul did introduce legislation to legalize marijuana that we haven't heard anything about. How about if some 'credible' (powerful) politician became involved in the pro mj movement? How about Pelosi, or Behner or Baucus, or Hatch...? How about a national level grass roots movement? The Tea Party was able to do it without a central command, why can't we?

I am not naive. The chances of this happening are slim at best, but it can be done if the right people join together to get this off the ground.

 

[budbro]

Yes, that bill (H.R. 2306) is being squashed in the judicial committee, which is headed by two of the toughest drug warriors on the hill, now. I wish Ron Paul would play his trump card! He holds the power right this second to get mj prohibition repealed forever. The RNC is absolutely terrified of him and his ability to run for pres as an independent or libertarian and in effect hand the election to Obama by taking votes from the republican candidate. A little promise not to run in exchange for pushing H.R. 2306 through would end this all. I would never discourage anybody from advocating, but I think it will be a powerplay (of sorts) that will legalize it if it is to happen within a decade or so. I wrote Ron Paul on this issue and urge others to do the same.

 

[noreastfog]

Interesting read..

A couple of things stood out to me. The warping of perception the "right wing" seems to promote. I find it interesting how the opposition comments include associations that at first blush any rational person would agree with and support. But simple are not credible or legitimate.

"Just ask yourself, would you want your kid smoking it then getting behind the wheel? I love my child more than that!"

Well the obvious answer is NO. However does everyone automatically "get behind the wheel" after they smoke? Impaired driving is a serious but separate issue!

I guess he loves his children more than me???

"former U.S. Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders, have called for legalizing its use"

Isn't it amazing how it's always the "former" Surgeon General...Police Cheif...Drug Investigator...ETC...ETC, that will advocate for prohibition repeal.

I believe there is no doubt that eventually prohibition of marijuana will be repealed...but it will only happen when it is politically expedient AND profitable for a large national/multi-national corp. Sadly it will remain illegal to grow your own.