Real World

It's only a matter of time. Hopefully the oldest profession on the earth will follow.





October 17, 2011

Record-High 50% of Americans Favor Legalizing Marijuana Use

Liberals and those 18 to 29 most in favor; Americans 65 and older most opposed

by Frank Newport


PRINCETON, NJ -- A record-high 50% of Americans now say the use of marijuana should be made legal, up from 46% last year. Forty-six percent say marijuana use should remain illegal.



Record-High 50% of Americans Favor Legalizing Marijuana Use

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"The most difficult subjects can be explained to the most slow-witted man if he has not formed any idea of them already; but the simplest thing cannot be made clear to the most intelligent man if he is firmly persuaded that he knows already, without a shadow of doubt, what is laid before him."
Leo Tolstoy, 1897

Drewski

Makes too much sense RW wont ever happen!!!

Kidding aside, I have been of the thought that this should be an idea which should be passed for a multitude of reasons.

1. Reduces costs associated with charging, sending to trial, and imprisoning non violent "drug" offenders.
2. Would be a nice new tax revenue stream for the govt.
3. Would finally reduce penalties on marijuana use to a "punishment fits the crime" level.
4. Why can we regulate alcohol and sell it to the of age masses, when this substance, which outside of the effects on the lungs, is far "safer" than booze? Just makes no sense.

The two common counter arguments (in my opinion) are crap anyway
1. People who dont smoke pot dont smoke it because they dont like it, not because it is illegal (the old "if its legal, we will have a country of stone people driving cars, flying planes etc etc")
2. If we can legalize booze and all the really negative side effects it has, why not pot? Cuz its a "drug" and "drugs are baaaaaaaaad. mmm-kay"?

If anyone hasn't seen the PBS special on prohibition I highly recommend it. Many of the pitfalls of that social experiment fit this discussion too, most notably by keeping it illegal, we spend mucho bucks and turn petty thieves into rich organized crime syndicates.

chicowalker

There was an article in the LA Times yesterday about a doctors' group coming out in favor of legalization -- even while questioning its medical value.

The "medical marijuana" law here in CA is quite a bit of a joke, though the outcome, at least, is a good one.

What was a bit dismaying in the article was the police group quoted opposing legalization. While I believe many police associations now have come out in favor of legalization, what was worrisome here was the supposed rationale: (i) that kids shouldn't be smoking pot and (ii) that driving under the influence of pot is bad. While both are certainly true, I don't think he realized that neither is much of an argument against legalizing pot use by adults (or maybe he does and doesn't care).

Drewski

Chico, I hear the driving example thrown around quite a bit up here too. Then I simply ask "do we not have rules and consequences in place for people who break the rules related to drinking and driving?"

And wouldn't any pot legalization law have the typical 18/21 rule applied to it?

I do know this. I would rather be on the road with someone stoned out of their mind, than someone drunk or texting...7 days a week and twice on Sundays

wistahpatsfan

JUST MORE PROOF that this country is half-baked.

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Harry Boy

America Loves It's Drugs America Will Get It's Drugs Legal Or Not.

LEGALIZE ALL DRUGS LEGALIZE PROSTITUTION

EVERYBODYS DOING IT ANYWAY

FOOLS

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Harry Boy (Genius)

In The Absence Of Law And Order Society Will Surely Destroy Itself

DarrylS

The Value Voters do not want you to be getting high.. doubt if any of the Republican Presidential Candidates would support this effort... doubt if Obama would support legalization either.

So as much as we want it, never happen..

Reefer madness is gonna ruin this country.. oh the horrors!!!!

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"Being the best doesn't mean you always win. It just means you win more than anyone else".. tweet from Kurt Warner to Tom Brady.

Wolfpack

PatsFanInVa

Well played sir.

But you have to admit, that is a high proportion of Americans.

God I hope they legalize that sh1t before I'm too old to use it for anything but cancer pain and glaucoma.

KDPPatsfan85

GOD MADE POT MAN MADE BEER, WHO DO YOU TRUST? I use to smoke ALOT of pot and I think it is safer than alcohol. Legalizing it will actually make it HARDER for kids to get it. Drug dealers can care less how old you are as long as you have money. Marijuana can be used for more than just smoking it. You can use it to make rope, clothes, use it for oil, etc. I am all for legalizing it!

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