Two Fifths of Californians Have Tried Marijuana and More Want it Legalized

Marijuana smokers and non-smokers agree: legalize the sale of cannabis.

52% of California voters support Proposition 19 that would legalize, regulate and tax the purchase and sale of marijuana in the State of California. 36% of voters oppose the proposition.

38% of Californians say they've smoked marijuana. Still, 44% of those who claim they've never tried marijuana support its legalization. Prop 19 supporters aren't all smokers, suggesting that many Californian's believe the legalization of marijuana is about more than smoking pot and could be the solution to some of California's bigger problems.

Democrats are more likely to throw their support behind the prop than Republicans. 62% of Democrats, 37% of Republicans and 55% of Independents support Prop 19.

African-Americans are the strongest supporters of Prop 19; 68:32, followed by Whites, who support it 53:37. The black community's strong support for Prop 19 may be closely related to the disproportionate number of African Americans in prison on marijuana charges. Despite representing 7% of CA's population, African Americans represent 50% of prisoners in California on marijuana charges.

There is little discrepancy between generations. 65+ is the only age group that opposes the legalization of marijuana; 39:47.

While I am a little skeptical that everyone responded truthfully when asked if they smoked, those who were willing seem to have been truthful about their smoking behavior. 66% of those who said they've smoked marijuana said it was always recreational, 11% said it was for medical proposes and 23% said it was for both.

Legalizing marijuana has favor in the public eye and finding an effective way to control and tax the drug may be good news for the California budget in more than one way. With increased income from taxes the budget will get a boost. The state will save millions, from prisons to resources spent on stopping marijuana trafficking. This poll reaffirms that isn't about wanting access to marijuana its a much deeper political issue that Californians understand-- marijuana is tied to immigration, prisons, the economy and much more.


NewsHawk: Ganjarden: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: Public Policy Polling
Author: Elena Fanjul-Debnam
Contact: Public Policy Polling
Copyright: 2010 Public Policy Polling
Website: Two Fifths of Californians Have Tried Marijuana and More Want it Legalized

* Thanks to MedicalNeed for submitting this article
 
More lies... funny no one is going to jail for one ounce or less so that is null and void. Also most of the people going to jail now is for commercial grows and intent to sell which guess what... you still go to jail for that under prop19.

Sorry but people are not reading this bill and when it passes and goes into effect everyone is going to have a free for all and land alot of people in jail.

Sorry but taxation is not legalization.

Vote NO!
 
^^^So your saying anything thats taxed is not legal?? -"Hannah Montana say wha' say what?"

Support states rights, vote Yes on 19.
 
Also most of the people going to jail now is for commercial grows and intent to sell which guess what... you still go to jail for that under prop19.QUOTE]

Where do you get this from? Growing your own will be legal. Do you mean people under 21 will be arrested for growing under prop 19?

This is going to have a hugh positive impact for California. The one negative you keep talking about is the same approach to alcohol. No one under 21. I will agree that it should be 18 years old but it is not a deal breaker. I have been fighting these issue for too long and it's time for a change. I would guess the majority of people (it's just a guess, like guessing how many people will go to jail under prop 19) on this web site are under 25 years old. Young people are the backbone of any movement. They are the reason things change. Probably the reason why we have our first non-white president. With that said, please do your homework (research). We have come a long way in this state and the country with regard to marijuana laws (medical & non-medical). Please remember the all the lives ruined, lives lost, and homes that were destroyed because of past laws that are now changed or are going to be changed. 16 years ago people in the movement had concerns about prop 215. It's not perfect but it is working.

VOTE YES ON PROP 19:
SAVE LIVES, LET THE POLICE FOCUS ON SOMETHING IMPORTANT AND COLLECT SOME TAX REVENUE.
 
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