Majority Of Americans Want Pot Legalized: Zogby Poll

A majority of Americans, in a poll released Wednesday, say it "makes sense to tax and regulate" marijuana. The Zogby poll, commissioned by the conservative-leaning O'Leary Report, surveyed 3,937 voters and found 52 percent in favor of legalization. Only 37 percent opposed.

A previous ABC News/Washington Post poll found 46 percent in support. In California, a Field Poll found 56 percent backing legalization.

Responding to the poll at a press conference Tuesday, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger called for an open debate on legalization.

Voters were asked: "Scarce law enforcement and prison resources, a desire to neutralize drug cartels and the need for new sources of revenue have resurrected the topic of legalizing marijuana. Proponents say it makes sense to tax and regulate the drug while opponents say that legalization would lead marijuana users to use other illegal drugs. Would you favor or oppose the government's effort to legalize marijuana?"

Ryan Grim is the author of the forthcoming book This Is Your Country On Drugs: The Secret History of Getting High in America

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Comments

[FullChat]

The last three presidents have enjoyed a toke - why can't I?
This is one tax I'd love to pay.

[kathy001]

Same here.

[olddad]

Legalize of course.(it is about time!!!)

[Janet Carter]

ABSOLUTELY legalize it. It's just plain stupid not to.

[bryansmith]

Legalize. Next question.

[ObamaEdwards]

More than 52% of Americans have smoked pot, and many smoke it on a regular basis with no damaging effects. That's why this poll turned out this way.

Every day people are killed by alcohol abuse. No one is ever killed by marijuana. It does not lead to stronger drugs and it does not make people violent. It is milder than booze, and far less damaging healthwise.

There are billions of tax dollars to be made from legalization.

Either outlaw booze again, or make pot legal. To do otherwise is inconsistent and stupid.

[Steven Anderson]

You are absolutely right and captured the essence of what this is about. Lets hope legalization happens sometime this year.

[tomasedison]

I think we are warehousing 100,000's in prison for minor pot offenses.
Please correct me if this is wrong.

[MelanieMatthias]

yeah, that is probably right. They are sitting there with murderers, rapists, kidnappers, etc.
Our whole justice system is horrible. Some are sitting in prison because they can't pay child support. Please!

[jennysez]

I don't know if you're wrong but I can't imagine that number being lower than what you cited

[SamKnause]

829,000 were arrested on non violent marijuana charges last year in the U.S. Most of these arrest were for users not traffickers. Check out Judge Jim Gray on you tube who is trying to get the laws changed and marijuana legalized. Also many of the police organizations want marijuana legalized.

[jb11555]

This makes perfect sense, which is why our spineless politicians will never do it.

[ebbasta]

Keep up the good work Ryan!

[JadedAggie]

I'm glad to hear it, although the question does look like it was weighted toward support of legalization.

[Obamasoldier]

Legalize it !!!!.

The money that can be made on this would be astounding. Not to mention the business it would generate along with the creative thinking

[TJCole]

This would be important, if we were a democracy...!