New Gallup Poll Says 50% Favor Marijuana Legalization
Joe | Oct 17, 2011 | Comments 0
When the Gallup Organization began polling questions on marijuana legalization in 1969 – the summer of love – only 12% said they were in favor. By last year that number was 46% and now it stands at an all-time high of 50%.
Meaning half the country favors legalization of marijuana for all uses, not just medical. Those are hardly the numbers of a fringe issue, which is what legalization opponents would like you to think it is.
Not surprisingly, those over the age of 65 and those who identify themselves as “conservative” or “Republican” were the most opposed while those who consider themselves “liberal” or who are aged 18 to 29 favor it the most.
According to Gallup, “If this current trend on legalizing marijuana continues, pressure may build to bring the nation’s laws into compliance with the people’s wishes.”
The Executive Director of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, Neill Franklin, had this to say about the new poll. “The Obama administration’s escalation of the ‘war on drugs’ and its attacks on state medical marijuana laws are only giving more and more Americans the opportunity to realize just how ridiculous and harmful our prohibition-based drug laws are. These numbers from Gallup, as well as the California Medical Association’s recent endorsement of marijuana legalization, show that momentum is on the side of reformers, so it’s no wonder the drug warriors are getting scared and ramping up their attacks. People are clearly waking up to the fact that we can no longer afford the fiscal and human costs of this failed ‘war on drugs.’ Savvy politicians would do well to take heed.”
Indeed. As I’ve said many times before – as have many others – the truth can only be obscured for so long. As people pay more attention to the issue, they see that the cannabis plant is a safe alternative to most recreational substances as well as to prescription drugs, which don’t even work as well medically for many ailments as cannabis does.
With majority support (46% oppose) for marijuana legalization now proclaimed by the oldest and most respected polling organization in the world, the time has never been better to let your representatives in government know exactly how you feel on the issue.
And be sure to check out our Open Letter on Behalf of 30 Million Cannabis Users and join us in our fight!
Filed Under: Activism • Exclusive Web Content • Politics • The War On Drugs
