From Reason On-line

Majority Support for Marijuana Legalization?

Jacob Sullum | May 7, 2009, 12:43pm

In a recent Zogby poll, 52 percent of voters said they supported marijuana legalization. As far as I know, this is the first time a national survey has found majority support for repealing cannabis prohibition, as opposed to merely decriminalizing possession for personal use. A couple of caveats:

1. According to a press release from the Marijuana Policy Project, the survey, commissioned by The O'Leary Report, used "a sample of 3,937 voters weighted to match the 2008 presidential outcome—54 percent Obama voters and 46 percent McCain supporters." This sample may be skewed in a pro-reform direction if, as seems plausible, left-leaning Americans were especially motivated to vote in the last presidential election, while conservatives were dispirited. I'm not sure what the exit polls showed on that score.

2. The wording of the question seems slanted:

Scarce law enforcement and prison resources, a desire to neutralize drug cartels and the need for new sources of revenue have resurrected the topic of legalizing marijuana. Proponents say it makes sense to tax and regulate the drug while opponents say that legalization would lead marijuana users to use other illegal drugs. Would you favor or oppose the government's effort to legalize marijuana?

Respondents were presented with three arguments in favor of legalization and only one against, and it was pretty lame. Why would legalizing pot make people more likely to use heroin? Because pot would lose its "forbidden fruit" cachet? That sounds like an antiprohibitionist argument. Also, the phrase "the government's effort to legalize marijuana" makes it sound as if this is something that's already happening, which makes the idea seem more realistic and credible.

Still, this sounds like good news, and it's in line with building support for marijuana legalization in other surveys, as well as recent comments by sitting public officials who say they'e open to discussing the idea.

BUT WHAT ABOUT MICHIGAN????????????

Maybe 10-15 more years

"need for new sources of revenue"
prez hussein wants more money going to him through those taxes.
"legalization would lead marijuana users to use other illegal drugs."
That has never been anything but a myth, so no big that it is popping up again, just another lie about the stuff. ONLY reason it was made illegal in the first place is because the paper companies couldn't handle the competition.
"Would you favor or oppose the government's effort to legalize marijuana?"
Favor, but would grow my own before giving hussein a penny.
"Why would legalizing pot make people more likely to use heroin? Because pot would lose its "forbidden fruit" cachet?"
More myths. Truth is, that it being illegal is denying millions from the medicinal benefits of this plant.

that sounds like they artificially skewed the results. weighted statistics are always suspect

but the pro decriminalization numbers have been steadily climbing over the years

Sad fact is as always; the majority is not always right.
"prez hussein" is of course a stupid alalysis. And I would think that the intelligent world would know that NO president gets the revenue from anything. He gets a pay check just like the rest of us.
The reason it was made illegal was because it is a danger to the people of the world. It changes our minds and promotes memory loss. It inhibits the work force. It makes for lazy people and I as an employer would not hire a pothead."was one", I know how it is.
Legalizing pot would not change its status. It will still be bought and sold illegally. It will be too expensive to buy from a store or whatever. It will still be bought from dealers.
People smoking pot would still use other drugs to combine with it. people choice is to drink along side pot. Isn't it bad enough that there are drunk drivers all over without the drunk AND stoned ???
Denying millions from it's medicinal worth? Whatever. They are trying to make the pill for those that need what it takes from the pot to help them. They take out the harmful parts and clean up the stuff and make it safer. Adding the parts that help and therefore making it accessible legally.

I can tell when I am near a smoker driving. I know.
I even recently saw two women driving while toking a roach. I let them know I saw them and they turned into a driveway to escape me seeing their tag. They then went into a child play place called "jump zone". They apparently were picking up kids or worked there. I was at a stop light and turned their direction. I was thinking really hard about turning them in. I decided I scared them enough to leave them alone this time. If I see them again doing it....I will turn them in. They endanger kids, and me on the roads.

Kat

Keep it illegal as long as you are willing to let people die for it.

If you want drug cartels gone, legalize it. Hurt them in their pocket books.

I suppose there are some that believe alcohol, cigaretts, and fast food should be made illegal.

These are all mind altering drugs believe it or not. In fact, failure to exercise regularly can contribute to depression. So i respectfully ask, where is the line drawn?


I understand your view scttrbrain. You speak from the view of someone deeply scarred by issues like these... But understand the point of view of those that want to legalize it as well...

I'd say,

2. The wording of the question seems slanted:

Therefore the poll results are tainted, null, Zero,,,,

Worthless!

Instead being published they should have hit file 13!
The trash receptacle!