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

[JPFranklin]

I just packed a bowl in honor of this article. HOORAY WEED!

[Coinyer101]

cheers my friend!

[bola47]

can i have a pack of 420's & lotto ticket please.

[Coinyer101]

It's legal in my house and we aint had no problem. you guys should legalize it in yer house, too.

[dontomas]

Great idea, sensible idea...but it will never happen, well at least not for a long time. There is still a great divide in the US and no politico is going to give up the moderate right wing vote.

[Jeff Newman]

legalize cannabis and hemp across the americas by 2010.

[Coinyer101]

ok. I'm on it.

[Coinyer101]

Pot makes you pretty like me.

[DoctorWhoDat]

Yes We Canabis!!

[Coinyer101]

you go ,doc!

[GuyRC]

Does the right wing have any position that can be supported with facts? Using MJ does not lead to use of other drugs or addiction.

[JPFranklin]

I've recently seen a study that showed marijuana users were less likely to use hard drugs and most drink less now than they did at their drinking peak. Marijuana is only illegal because William Randolph Hearst was a buzzkill d bag with a lot of money.

[TheBlackCat]

Here's the web pages for the Marijuana Policy Project and NORML for anyone interested in how to donate or get involved. At the very least, if this is really something you believe in, I encourage you to write your congressman, write your representative. Make your voice heard.

http://www.mpp.org/

http://www.norml.org/

[quindy]

Did someone do the math on how much does it cost to keep pot offenders incarcerated? This money could be used for more important things.

[Elleni]

I have been smoking marijuana recreationally for 40 years. I have never been tempted to do it compulsively, and I have never been remotely tempted to try anything "harder." The "gateway" theory has to do with individual issues. Tobacco and alcohol are many times more addictive.

[blues101]

Agreed! the Gateway theory is a non-theory. It's not addictive - tobacco is laced with addictive ingredients. We know the damage alcohol does to everyone around the user and it's addictive. We'll still get cancer from weed, though, and probably quicker if the stats i read on the tars is accurate.

[SimonOne]

Well, if they legalize it there will be glycerine/THC cartridges for use in electronic cigarettes. For those not familiar with e-cigarettes there is a lithium rechargeable battery attached to a heating element which heats the contents of the glycerine/nicotine cartridge. When the cigarette is drawn on by the "smoker" the heating element vapourizes the liquid into smoke-like steam and delivers the active ingredient to the lungs of the "smoker". The advantage of this delivery system is that there is no tar or any of the other additives in regular tobacco products.

[Okkervil]

smooooooke

[KarateKid]

I was once driving from San Juan, Puerto Rico, to Bayamon, a little to the west. On the way, I noticed two sizable, empty fields. I asked my business associate what those fields were. He smiled, and told me that one was owned by RJR Reynolds, the other by another tobacco company. I told him I didn't know Puerto Rico had a climate suitable for tobacco growth. Then, he said the fields were going to be used when marijuana became legal. These companies are already set to go. What a total hypocrisy this is.

[Malkin71]

The only way it will be legalized is if we do a massive corporate giveaway to the tobacco and alcohol companies, let them have the "licenses" or whatever.

[Citizen54]

Further evidence that the people are smarter than their "represent­atives."

[KarateKid]

Some people still believe Reefer Madness. sigh......