A new poll from Rasmussen Polling out of Colorado shows a large majority favoring legalizing and regulating marijuana in the same way as alcohol and tobacco, with 61% saying they support it.

Only 27% said they were opposed to legalization, while 12% are undecided. That’s a 34% spread between those who favor legalization and those who oppose it. Obviously the vote this November on Amendment 64 will be the true test of legalization’s chances, but it’s hard to poll much better than it is right now.

There is about 6 months of propaganda still to come from legalization opponents, so advocates must be sure not to get complacent. Polls are polls, but elections are won on the street and in the minds of voters. This poll shows that the votes are there, now supporters need to make sure those votes get to the ballot box intact.

A victory for legalization in Colorado will send shock waves through the country and force the federal government to admit that the tide has turned against them or force them to step up their crackdown to include a rebuke of the voters in Colorado over legalization.

One state has to be first to pave the way, and if it’s not going to be California, it might as well be CO.

- Joe Klare