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50% of Americans support legalizing marijuana: poll

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Sweet.

2 ( +7 / -5 )

Should be legalised and controlled simillar to alcohol. Illegal for anyone under 18 or 20 to use etc , and should be legal to grow your own for your own use.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

Meanwhile in Japan, 99% of people are convinced it is a lethal drug, equivalent to cocaine and heroin.

5 ( +9 / -3 )

EE bit of contradiction there.

How can it be controlled if people are allowed to grow their own and no-one can control who has access to it?

Kinda like making some moonshine at home.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Forget about alqaeda! The USA will kill itself with drugs! Both legal and illegal ones and India and China will become our economic masters!! Both of these countries already supply Mexico with many ingredients to make crystal meth that then is sold on the streets of the USA!!

-7 ( +1 / -8 )

Let's be clear here, just because someone supports legalization doesn't mean they intend to smoke themselves(as in my case). And those older folks were probably of a generation that didn't partake when young so as time goes on the support numbers will only rise.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

@elbuda: ummm .. have you ever been to Canada? Smoking pot is normal there. People are generally not 'fat and lazy', nor do they sit around eating. I think it's great that countries are waking up to the fact that marijuana shouldn't be illegal, when always-legal alcohol causes so many worse problems. If only places like Japan could open their eyes and see the truth!

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Millions of people have died horrible deaths and in many cases, families exhausted their savings on dangerous, toxic and expensive drugs. Now we are just beginning to realize that while marijuana has never killed anyone, marijuana prohibition has killed millions.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Never been assaulted by a MJ user, have not heard about domestic violence caused by MJ. Nore an overdose. Even road accidents, although I am not recommending in anyway using any drug and driving. My point is it would appear to be a benile drug for most, most-there are always exceptions. Compared to the socially distructive influence of alcohol it's nothing. Police derive a large part of their budgets fighting this "WAR" on drugs...60 years on, how is that going?

6 ( +7 / -1 )

I wonder if it were to be legalized, would a 'pack of "Kona Gold" be cheaper then a pack of Marlboros?

3 ( +3 / -0 )

All drugs should be legal including marijuana. I can't think of any good reason why it should be illegal. Why keep the "outlaws" in business. Government regulated sales would be better and safer.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Elbuda, you been to Mexico? Pot, kettle, black!

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Marijuana is a gateway drug to harder stuff. Folks who get strung out on cocaine, heroin, meth, etc., all admit they started down their destructive paths by first smoking pot.

PLEASE put this to a vote. I will be like a good democrat and vote several times against it.

RR

-11 ( +2 / -13 )

Legalize and tax it! Take that revenue away from organized crime and put it to good use.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

All so called legal drugs should be legal. Want tax revenue, legalize it. Open up head shops, give out free needles. Make everyone take ludes before commuting to work, and mushrooms for the commute home. Put beer in the coffee machines, and a strip of cocaine on each desk before a meeting with your bosses.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

Only a matter of time, really.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Everyone is responsible of their own lives. It's not governments responsibility to have a say about people's mental state. They can regulate and restrict chemical drugs, hard drugs, but not a plant that can be consumed as it is, without going through any chemical process.

Even though I'm for legalization, I wouldn't want to see it being advertised for. Absolutely no advertising should be done. It can even be licenced, only people with licence should grow it, and be responsible for self consumption, not resale.

People are waking up to the fact that it's just an innocent, harmless plant.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

If it makes them more mellow, I am all for it. That is one country that really need to chill out a bit.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

RomeoR,

I think the reason it can be a gateway drug is because it's available at the same place that other hard drugs are available. It's the dealers who suggest, other hard drugs to innocent pot smokers. If it were seperated and legal, noone would decide to try hard drugs.

Furthermore, if pot was legal, drug dealer would be a thing in the past. This is their primary income and without it they wouldn't be able to survive, dealing hard drugs only. Legalization of pot can be the the solution to drug war. Legalization can (and will) bring drug lords and even terrorists to their end.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

im for it, legalize it and tax the shit out of it, it might even put a dent on that debt the us has haha

1 ( +2 / -1 )

My state is very progressive and has legalized marijuana for a medical use about 2 yrs ago.

People with a M.S. and a cancer use it for pain treatment. They can buy ones with medical prescriptions. The state is generating tax revenue and people do not have feel bad and hide any more. I am all for it.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Dilbert,

We'll have to agree to disagree on this issue. Too bad the U.S. isn't like some Asian countries where the possession/use of illegal drugs carries a mandatory death sentence.

RR

-5 ( +3 / -8 )

RomeoR--It may be true that many hard drug users smoked pot before they injected heroin, but that in no way proves a cause and effect relationship. This has been studied in depth and no reputable research has been able to verify this "gateway" theory. First of all, most people who have tried weed do not "go on" to harder stuff. Secondly, one could make the same argument about cigarettes and alcohol. Most heroine addicts "started out" on cancer sticks and booze. Shall we criminalize them? We're talking about pop sociology and loaded terms: "gateway", "started out", "moved on to".

It's about time modern societies started looking a bit more realistically at this issue rather than lumping all drug use together into one category of evil. 850,000 arrests in one year is simply a stupid waste of money and manpower.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Yeah, they should legalize it. Tax it. Most Americans are addicted to one substance or more. Might as well get paid off it. It'll hurt organized crime to some extent. Might even tone down some of the killing in Ol Mexico.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Roll Up !

2 ( +2 / -0 )

"50% of Americans think it's high time"

Har!

Seriously, though, I can't agree with legalizing it, it's really bad for the lungs and short-term memory, and downright dangerous if people smoke it and then drive.

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

I think it would be great to legalize it as it would be taking away from the drug dealers on the street. They are the reasons why people usually move onto harder drugs. They can lace a joint which will give the user a new experience that they will later maybe (to the hopes of the dealer) want to replicate. If we take that away, and have a safe place to buy it, that would be the best.

The only problem I see is how it will be percieved along with tabacco. There are campaigns to stop people from smoking tobacco, and marijuana is usually inhaled as well. Tabacco too was once seen as a safe plant but due to modern processing techniques, people are getting more than just tobacco. Would the same thing happen with marijuana? If so, then it would become a major health risk that would need to be campaigned against later and then once again, pushed underground.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

no way i don't want to smell that shiz around me! ewwww~ hate smokers x__x

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Mother's milk is a gateway drug to harder stuff. Folks who get strung out on cocaine, heroin, meth, etc., all admit they started down their destructive paths by first sucking back milk.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

...and probably want it free from the government too!

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

And on the flag they should change the 50 stars to little marijuana leaves.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

@JapanGal: All so called legal drugs should be legal. Want tax revenue, legalize it. Open up head shops, give out free needles. Make everyone take ludes before commuting to work, and mushrooms for the commute home. Put beer in the coffee machines, and a strip of cocaine on each desk before a meeting with your bosses.

I wish they would just give them a toothbrush, soap and some deodorant before commuting to and from work. The foul and nauseating smells on the train (again) this morning should be made illegal.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

About time, hopefully this will encourage more countries to follow.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

"im for it, legalize it and tax the shit out of it "

The finest point on this thread, succinctly put.

Hit the dealers where it hurts, their easy way to an affluent, tax-free life. A tremendous amount of under 50's in Europe smoke weed on a regular basis, it's just farcical keeping something illegal that is so popular. It's not as if abuse brings the ills of alco-yobish behaviour either, they just .....well, go limp.

The real problem is that everyone will grow their own and the state won't be able to get it's grubby mitts on the booty.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

a friend of mine in California was busted twice for possession years ago (although he was not a dealer, he had felony amounts in his possession). Now he is a registered grower of MJ for medicinal use and gets to keep a small amount of his "crop" for personal use. He would have been facing a three strikes mandatory sentence if he had been caught growing before Calif. legalized it for medicinal use. Go figure. Anyway in Cal. your can get a prescription for "chronic pain", which means you just have to tell a doc that you have constant back pain from a slip in the shower.

One of the most vocal spokesmen for NORML is good ol' Willie Nelson.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

How can it be controlled if people are allowed to grow their own and no-one can control who has access to it? Kinda like making some moonshine at home.

Well, what is the problem with making moonshine at home? And you think there is no control over alcohol if you make it at home? Make it home or buy it at the store, if you drink and drive or serve it to minors, or try to sell it in large quantities without deducting and sending along sales tax, and you will no doubt find that its controlled to a degree.

And for people saying that people will just grow it at home so the government won't collect, give me a break. You could grow tobacco at home too, but who does? The major reason people grow it at home is because its illegal. Make it legal and they won't be bothered, same as they don't bother brewing their own beer. Laziness will win the day! Also, commercially available weed would of quality so much better than homegrown, nobody would want to smoke your low quality stuff from out of the closet unless you really knew what you were doing. Most people don't and won't learn either. The government would rake in a ton.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Marijuana is not a hard drug, and it's actually quite pleasant - so I'm told, lol.

But have you ever tried driving after a spliff or two? How good were your reactions? Legalize it and usage will increase, and you can expect way more road deaths than we have now. Look how long it's taken to get drunk driving down, and society wants to open itself up to this?

Be careful what you wish for....

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

I have to admit, I was surprised it was only 50 percent support. I am not sure whether to call it a fix, or just once again thank my lucky stars I got out of that country full of sticks in the mud. Of course, Japan is even worse about marijuana, but much more relaxed about so many other things. If anyone tried to set up beer vending machines in America for example, it would probably garner an act of Congress dictating what moralities you may observe.

Americans do need to chill out, as someone said above.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

hatsoff, if weed became legal, no doubt some people would stop drinking alcohol. If people started smoking and driving rather than drinking and driving, the roads would probably wind up safer.

Not really counting on that, but, the people not drinking and driving now are unlikely to start smoking and driving. And those drinking and driving now will do what the hell they want anyway.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I would say marijuana should be okay if consumed in a private setting only (at home). As for consuming it outdoors in public, I say that's okay too - BUT - under no circumstances should marijuana be consumed while operating any type of vehicle (yes, this includes bicycles/motorbikes, etc), dangerous equipment, while at work, caring for children, or in any other instance where it can alter your judgment or decision making capability. In other words, it should be treated the same as prescription drugs, but in this case, for personal pleasure. All warnings should be heeded and common sense used. I believe if it were to be mixed with (for example) fudge brownies, then inhaling it as smoke would be avoided. Oh, and consult your physician prior to use to ensure you do not have a pre-existing condition that would cause marijuana to harm you. Just my 2 Yen worth!

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Well it should be okay............... as long as you don't inhale.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Marijuana is a gateway drug to harder stuff.

You could say the same thing about Cider. Or Heineken ;) !!!

5 ( +5 / -0 )

From a creative standpoint, I can't see any harm from it. Whether you smoke it, eat it with brownies etc, or make tea with it. Whenever I go home to Cali, I hit the nearest dispensary, pick up a few g's, and get to work. The company that I work for encourages it use....Discreetly. The money I make goes to a pension fund. I will not retire poor! When I return to Japan, my body is "clean" so there's no worries from blood checks. To me it's really surprising that it hasn't been legalized. R/D would certainly benefit from it. But then again when you have old world thinking combined with brain dead politicians going into their 60's and 70's, I can easily understand.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

100% Marijuana is not proven to be harmful, raise some tax revenue. I won't smoke it but i really don't care if others do.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

in the state of washington an initiative is in the works to legalize marijuana. this sounds good, but looking further into it i found out about something truly messed up. if you get pulled over by the police and have smoked that day and currently not high, you can be blood tested and found guilty of DUI. states are hurting for money and will find any way to get it from you. oh yeah, 25% tax=a thriving black market. no thanks i-502, i don't want what you're sellin.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Roll another one !

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Weed makes you lazy and stupid and fat! Unhappy losers think they escape from their reality which just makes you worse and worse don't matter if your a slob up in Canada or Mexico or here in Japan Pot smokers not only hurt me but my own family this is why I'm strongly against all pakalolo!! So alooohaaa!!!

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

Least likely to support legalization were those over 65 (31%), conservatives (34%) and southerners (44%).

With the latter two groups holding out for crystal meth.

Taka

2 ( +4 / -2 )

"About time"

You mean high time?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Legalize it, but what many here have missed is that it still causes 2nd hand smoke. I live and have grown up in a neighborhood where people are smoking both. I can't breath and heaven forbid should I open my window. A lot of these "harmless" mj smokers in my neighborhood have kids and they're not adverse to smoking it around their children while their children are walking around with glazed eyes. As much as the pros want to say it doensn't affect anyone outside of the smoker, it doesn't. At least with alcohol a person is only dangerous when they get behind the wheel.

Another issue is that drugs no matter what kind affect different people in different ways. Metabolism plays into part here and I for one can't stand the stench of the stuff and it does affect me in adverse ways (I become more irritable and my teeth get on edge and sensitive) and I don't even smoke it. So keep in mind, just because it works for some people doesn't mean it will work for others. Just like there are mean drunks and quiet drunks, its because it affects the brain differently.

Let it be legalised, but it should be treated with the same restrictions as tobacco with the addition that it does affect the way the brain functions so it does require more legislation than tobacco. I'm sure that many business districts don't want their employees getting high on the job so people should only "entertain" themselves with it on their own time in their own house (not around their children ofc), or at an mj bar.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The 2nd hand smoke in pot has been proven to be harmless, plus their will be certain spots augmented for smoking it.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Marijuana is a gateway drug to harder stuff.

So is kissing.

To those who complained about the smoke or smell, you should know that, unlike tobacco, marijuana is consumed orally as well. Many people who use medical marijuana products are in the midst of chemotherapy, and cannot tolerate smoke either. There's a good 1.5 hour documentary up on YT that gives a decent introductory breakdown about the US public relationship with marijuana: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dd6oJjx8ze0

Nice timing for this poll, considering that the US just passed a bill that would make it a federal crime for American citizens to use drugs that are illegal in the US while they are overseas, or to even plan or discuss it. I'm not even making this up: H.R. 313, the "Drug Trafficking Safe Harbor Elimination Act of 2011

Lastly, while considering the results of the poll, it might be relevant to remember how many people are currently incarcerated for marijuana-related crimes. Via wiki: In 2004 was approximately 12.7% of state prisoners and 12.4% of Federal prisoners were serving time for a cannabis related offence.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I'll assume that at least 50% of Americans who voted for it, already smoke it, so why not just tax it. Save the money from not having to enforce it and put it back into the economy to offset the MAJOR LOSS of productivity from paranoid zombie pot heads.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

@Jarod Norman, I'm speaking from experience an observing those around me. My question is, why should I have to smoke it with whoever is smoking what? You wouldn't like it if someone sat next to you continually farting would you? My right to breath fresh air is a necessity for most living beings on this planet. All smoke carries carbon monoxide and carcinogens no matter how you want to paint it. If it were a vapor it would be a different story. I and many other people would prefer not to be downwind of someone smoking anything.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

@wolfbiscuits while I agree with the other methods for those to take cannabis for medical reasons, its guaranteed that those that want it legalised for "recreation" are going to be burning it.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Marijuana is a gateway drug to harder stuff.

As libertarians like Friedman and others point out there is little real proof that marijuana is a gateway drug.From an economic perspective though, it is pretty clear that an intrusive and unreasonable body of laws makes the nature of the supplier-consumer relationship one that facilitates one party (dealer) basically forcing an unwanted commodity on the other (buyer), who is often uninformed or compromised in the situation. It's as easy as the dealer saying he doesn't have what the buyer came for, but there is this other stuff, a little more expensive, that will provide the same result.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

HonestDictator- I am not saying smoke it, I support legalizing marijuana but i wouldn't smoke it myself.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I don't care if people smoke pot, a lot of people smoke it here in Hawaii. I prefer the smell of pot to cigarettes.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

@Jared Norman a lot of people smoke it in Colorado too even though they don't have a medicinal purpose license. And just because you prefer the smell, doesn't mean I have to. I could care less what people do to themselves only, just as long as I and others do not have to be affected by it. Smoking anything is a choice that an individual makes for themselves, but it never gives them the right to affect those around them with their personal choices. Same goes with alcohol and cigs although depending on the persons metabolism it can become addictive for them. Some people become addicted to alcohol and some become addicted to nicotine. People with respiratory illness will not want to be sitting next to anyone that is taking away their air.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Honest is right. In private or designated areas. Like alcohol. And stamp on those that abuse it.

My main worry about secondary weed fumes is that it leaves traces in the blood for months even if you had not one toke, and the domino effect that a roadside drug test could cause you serious problems. Here in Europe their swabs have a 50% accuracy rate, yet it is used.

Legalization will cause a heap of problems but it's got to be done.

And taxed.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I prefer the smell of pot to cigarettes

Me too. Love the smell of pot, hate the smell of cigarettes.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

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