Thursday, May 24, 2012

Poll shows most U.S. adults want marijuana legalized and regulated like alcohol and tobacco

Over half of American adults favor "legalizing and regulating marijuana similar to the way alcohol and tobacco cigarettes are currently regulated," reports Daniel B. Wood of the Christian Science Monitor. A Rasmussen Reports poll found 56 percent in favor and 36 percent opposed. (Associated Press photo: Indoor pot farm in Laurel, Md.)

"Critics have dismissed the survey, saying its questions were asked in a particularly leading fashion – a charge that Rasmussen contests," Wood writes. "But experts who track the issue say the poll is consistent with the overall trend of steadily rising acceptance of marijuana use." The new number is "the strongest support ever recorded in favor of marijuana legalization in the U.S.," Dale Gieringer, California coordinator for the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. "He says the trend can be expected to continue, since younger voters are more favorable toward ending marijuana prohibition than older ones," Wood reports.

Some agricultural interests also favor legalization as a way to revive the hemp industry, which would use  plants cultivated without removal of male plants, the technique that has greatly raised the amount of psychoactive ingredient in plants raised for drug use.

1 comment:

DREGstudios! The Art of Brandt Hardin said...

Marijuana is the safest drug with actual benefits for the user as opposed to alcohol which is dangerous, causes addiction, birth defects, and affects literally every organ in the body. Groups are organizing all over the country to speak their minds on reforming pot laws. I drew up a very cool poster featuring Uncle Willie Nelson and The Teapot Party for the cause which you can check out on my artist’s blog at http://dregstudiosart.blogspot.com/2011/01/vote-teapot-2011.html Drop in and let me know what you think!