A majority of Americans say "Legalize It" in 2009
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Many adults in the United States are willing to legalize marijuana, according to a poll by Angus Reid Public Opinion. 53 per cent of respondents support this notion, while 43 per cent are opposed.
Less than 10 per cent of respondents support the legalization of other drugs, such as ecstasy, powder cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine or “crystal meth” and crack cocaine.
The use of marijuana is illegal in the U.S. except in some regulated cases of medical use. The amount allowed for such purposes varies depending on the state. Some states have passed laws to reduce law enforcement for possession of small amounts of the substance.
In May, Gil Kerlikowske, Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, ruled out a push to legalize marijuana, adding, “I’ve never advocated legalization and certainly the president has made it clear that’s his position.”
53% support for marijuana legalization! This is a nationwide sampling with a margin of error of ±3.1%, which means that unless the sample was wildly inaccurate, we can safely say a majority of Americans now support marijuana legalization.
The question asked was “Do you support or oppose the legalization of each of the following drugs?” with no further explanation. With no prompting about the possible economic benefits of taxing cannabis or points about reforming criminal justice, with just the blanket term “legalization” which could lead to a range of solutions from strict marijuana pharmacies to open farmers’ markets, in other words, a question most likely to get the lowest favorable response, we just got 53%. 61% of Democrats and 55% of Independents support legalization, while only 43% of Republicans agree.
In another question the poll asked “The term “War on Drugs” has been used to describe the efforts of the U.S. government to reduce the illegal drug trade. From what you have seen, read or heard, would you describe the “War on Drugs” as a success or a failure?” 68% of Americans called it a failure, with two-thirds of Democrats and Republicans agreeing it’s a failure and over three-fourths of Independents. About 70% of respondents across all political and geographic demographics agreed that “America has a serious drug abuse problem and it affects the whole country.”
Contact your elected representatives and urge them to 'Stop Arresting Marijuana Smokers'. 
I cant believe just how much of the I simply wasnt conscious of. Thank you for bringing more information to this topic for me.
[...] chuckled at when we suggest legalizing marijuana (see videos below), even as more than half of America on some polls – not just Left Blogsylvania – are beginning to think it is a [...]
[...] chuckled at when we suggest legalizing marijuana (see videos below), even as more than half of America on some polls – not just Left Blogsylvania – are beginning to think it is a [...]
[...] We’re chuckled at when we suggest legalizing marijuana (see videos below), even as more than half of America on some polls – not just Left Blogsylvania – are beginning to think it is a damn [...]
[...] [...]
[...] chuckled at when we suggest legalizing marijuana (see videos below), even as more than half of America on some polls – not just Left Blogsylvania – are beginning to think it is a [...]
[...] chuckled at when we suggest legalizing marijuana (see videos below), even as more than half of America on some polls – not just Left Blogsylvania – are beginning to think it is a [...]
legalize marijuana and get on with other things. like take care of the people in the u.s. stop the wars, let the other countries worry about then selfs.
[...] numbers that now show that over 80 percent of the public supports legalizing medical marijuana, and a solid majority also backs legalization for all [...]
[...] for healthy adults, the American Public are also contrary to the opinions of law enforcement. The latest Angus Reid poll is the first to show majority American support for legalization (53%), while the latest Gallup poll [...]
[...] for healthy adults, the American Public are also contrary to the opinions of law enforcement. The latest Angus Reid poll is the first to show majority American support for legalization (53%), while the latest Gallup [...]
[...] According to new poll, majority of Americans support marijuana legalization [...]
I haven’t heard of Angus Reid Global Monitor before. Maybe they do good work, but they’re not famous.
Politicians are conservative when it comes to their own electoral prospects. You can always trust them to do the politically expedient thing rather than the right thing. So legalization of marijuana is going to need a much bigger majority before politicians grow some cajones and stand up for liberty.
Right now, we need to make sure that we can get *medical* mj legalized for as many states as possible.
And when it comes to regular, recreational mj for responsible adults, we’re just going to have to win the political game with plain people power–city by city.
Every humble hamlet, a little Oaksterdam! Let freedom grow.
Great timeing, I was writting a letter to the editor about my little town wanting to join a tri county drug task force and they want to spend like $150,000 of federal reinvestment funds to hire a cop for our city that will be the task force contact. I cant stand by and let them pour this money down the drug war drain!
One would think the supreme court or some lawyer could push this as a crime against Democracy, I mean isn’t that what it is when individuals are imprisoned for laws not supported by the majority? That’s shit China and Russia due to suppress their people, not he U.S.