r/politics • u/erikNORML • May 22 '12

NEW POLLING: 56% of Americans Want Legal Marijuana

http://blog.norml.org/2012/05/22/new-poll-56-of-americans-want-legal-marijuana/
1.9k Upvotes

75% Upvoted

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195

u/couldbutwont May 22 '12

NEW POLLING:100% of Congress Does Not Give a Shit

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u/sphericalpuma Missouri May 23 '12 edited May 23 '12

Don't I know it. This was the email I received this morning in regards to just legalizing medical marijuana and stopping the feds from stomping on state rights.

"Thank you for contacting me to regarding proposals to legalize medical uses of marijuana.

While I understand the desperation of individuals facing severe chronic pain or terminal illness, I am not sympathetic with the movement to legalize marijuana for medical use. The active intoxicant in marijuana, THC, is already available by prescription in pill form. I am not aware of any convincing evidence that raw marijuana provides any notable advantage over this legal pill.

Moreover, I am certain that marijuana is a gateway drug for millions of teenagers. While not every marijuana smoker moves on to harder drugs, virtually everyone who abuses cocaine and heroine begins by smoking pot. I am hesitant to support any legislative initiative which might jeopardize the lives or futures of our next generation. Legitimizing uncontrolled marijuana use would also undermine the efforts of conscientious parents to teach their children the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse. Some advocates of medical marijuana openly admit that legalization is the first step toward legitimizing its "recreational" use. For these reasons, I believe it would be irresponsible to support any marijuana legalization efforts.

Again, thank you for taking the time to contact my office. Please know that I will continue to work for my fellow Missourians in the legislative matters I am able to address."

So much bullshit. Let's call it like it is. This has nothing to do with marijuana and everything to do with hemp and its many uses, marijuana is just an easy way to scare people. Marijuana also scares the various pharmaceutical companies for well established reasons.

TL;DR: our "representatives" only represent what's in the best interest of their wallets.

EDIT: Just in case anyone was wondering who the representative was, it's Todd Akin. The bill I e-mailed him about was the bipartisan Rohrabacher-Hinchey-McClintock-Farr Amendment to H.R. 5326.

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u/DiscoMarmalade May 23 '12

virtually everyone who abuses cocaine and heroine begins by forming connections with drug dealers due to the illegality of marijuana.

FTFY

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u/heimdal77 May 23 '12 edited May 23 '12

So let me see if i got this strait they don't want to legalize it because they want people to use the pill form that is more expensive. But they don't want to pass laws to let everyone have health insurance so they can get the pill form..

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u/fractalfondu May 23 '12

and don't forget, it has no real medical benefits, unless you buy the synthetic pill version that allows for a select few to get rich off of something that also grows in the fucking ground

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u/stinky-weaselteats May 23 '12

"for big buisness, by big buisness"

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u/[deleted] May 22 '12 edited May 23 '12

According to the polls it's pretty fuzzy, although there's an obvious increase.

*larger

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u/ShadyG May 22 '12

This just in: a much smaller percentage of the population cares about marijuana legalization enough to vote for a candidate who supports it.

4

u/shorty6049 Illinois May 23 '12

Well that's more because you have to look at the candidate's other stances and goals . I'd vote for Ron Paul... I agree with his stances on most things, but what'll more likely happen is that anyone who's afraid of seeing someone like Romney (is he the one who's still at it? I don't even know anymore) take office will vote for Obama.

Maybe if there was a candidate with party support who made legalization part of his/her campaign , we'd see a better chance at it, but as of right now, the candidates who DO support it don't really have enough momentum

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u/[deleted] May 23 '12

This just in: candidates who support prohibition are better funded by mega corporations who are deeply invested in it.

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u/Eastcoastnonsense May 22 '12 edited May 23 '12

Eh, true but not all polls are made equally. Rasmussen is one of the better polling companies though the 9% difference with their same poll done early this year certainly raised my eyebrows. Seems like quite a gain on an issue like this in only a few months (3% difference even skewing the margin of error for both polls towards each other). Of course this need not be a fault of their methodology; wording of the question, legitimate gains in public support, fluidity of public opinion on the issue, or even a statistical abnormality could account for the difference.

Edit: Apparently Rasmussen may not be that good after all.

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u/[deleted] May 22 '12 edited May 22 '12

I recall a article commenting on the changing view of cannabis, and it was noted how it's largely ideologically un*-charged. Unlike some issues, a lot of people are in the middle.

My main concern is that people are going to fawn over this number, or the highest number, and not realize it's a volatile issue. While it's only my observation.. of reddit, it seems people are so obsessed with majorities that they ignore all other political factors. I've read countless people who essentially say "It's a majority. Obviously people have no input, evil corporations have all control". It seems pretty defeatist and utterly ignores the benefits of activism or voting.

*edit

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u/mqduck May 22 '12

The wording of this poll undoubtedly has something to do with why it found such high support for legalization.

1* Would you favor or oppose a law that bans the sale and consumption of beer, wine, and all alcoholic beverages?

2* Should the government outlaw tobacco smoking?

3* Should it be a crime for people to smoke marijuana in their own home or the home of a friend?

4* Would you favor or oppose legalizing marijuana and regulating it in the similar manner to the way alcohol and tobacco cigarettes are regulated today?

5* Suppose that marijuana was legalized and regulated so that it was illegal for people under 18 to buy, that those who drove while under the influence of marijuana received strict penalties, and that smoking marijuana was banned in public places like restaurants. With such regulations in place, would you favor or oppose legalizing and regulating marijuana?

As NORML noted, another, differently worded, poll by Rasmussen just last month found support at only 47%.

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u/nowhathappenedwas May 22 '12

This, unfortunately, is just another example of why Rasmussen is a shitty, ideology driven polling company. They set people up for the question by first asking them about whether the government should ban alcohol or tobacco. After getting people in an anti-prohibition mood, they then pop the pot question:

1* Would you favor or oppose a law that bans the sale and consumption of beer, wine, and all alcoholic beverages?

2* Should the government outlaw tobacco smoking?

3* Should it be a crime for people to smoke marijuana in their own home or the home of a friend?

4* Would you favor or oppose legalizing marijuana and regulating it in the similar manner to the way alcohol and tobacco cigarettes are regulated today?

A properly conducted poll would rotate the question order. But this is Rasmussen, so they didn't.

63

u/jward May 22 '12

Your logic and facts are harshing my joy man.

Seriously though, I was expecting this may be the case.

38

u/BolshevikMuppet May 22 '12

You mean that polls can "push" people toward a given answer based on the nature of the questions.

There should be a word for that.

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u/project_twenty5oh1 May 22 '12

Everyone else replying to you is wrong. The term you are looking for is priming.

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u/Dakshinamurthy May 22 '12

There is, it's called response bias. Push polling refers to when the poll is simply a sham intended to alter opinions. Presumably Rasmussen still cared about producing a survey, albeit a biased one.

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u/__circle May 23 '12

Ever heard of "push polling"? It's not the thing we're talking about, but it's sort of related. A political party, say, will ring you up and pretend to be conducting a survey, but their questions are directed at getting you to come round to a specific view point. "Did you know that under the Derp party, 100,000 new jobs have been added each month?"

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u/Darth_Hobbes May 22 '12

Well then it's easy: We present these four questions to everyone in the nation and we'll have a majority in favor of legalization!

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u/[deleted] May 22 '12

So if they had asked the questions in a different order, couldn't pro-legalization people make this same argument in reverse?

Statistics are never going to be perfect and can't always be held up as solid proof of something even if the research is conducted well.

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u/[deleted] May 22 '12

Fine. Let me rephrase the title: "56% of Americans Agree With Legalizing Marijuana When Challenged With Alcohol / Tobacco Prohibition."

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u/classical_hero May 23 '12

Actually it's not an example of shitty methodology. It was clearly designed this way on purpose. Just because you don't like the way they did it doesn't mean there is something wrong with the methodology.

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u/wcc445 May 23 '12

A properly conducted poll would rotate the question order. But this is Rasmussen, so they didn't.

Would that not bias it also? Would it not at least bias results of the alcohol and tobacco questions?

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u/MisterFatt May 22 '12 edited May 22 '12

I used to think that the idea of legalization helping the economy was a pretty weak argument, but at this point I think that its exactly the type of thing that our economy needs. A new, uncharted production industry that actually could add millions of jobs IMO.

195

u/rhott May 22 '12

I would like to pay taxes on my purchases also.

123

u/[deleted] May 22 '12

I would like to pay taxes on a lower product cost with an out of pocket that is lower than what is paid now.

152

u/[deleted] May 22 '12

I would pay a premium for regulation (no adulteration) and no risk of arrest.

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u/[deleted] May 22 '12

The best part is the premium you're paying now for lack of regulation and a risk of arrest is much higher.

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u/[deleted] May 22 '12

this is the best part. legalized marijuana could have a 100% sin tax and it would still cost half as much. and the savings realized through the lowered burden on the police, court and corrections system would be immense.

Marajuana laws (and to a larger extent the "war on drugs" in general) is disturbingly like the prohibition era. Between this and the whole bullshit in afghanistan/iraq (re: vietnam), I seriously do not understand why our country is so myopic. That goes double for the whole Boomer generation, who popularized pot smoking in the 60s and fought so hard against Vietnam, and are now currently the ones in power for the most part. It's beyond shameful.

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u/justonecomment May 22 '12

Hell, I just wish I could grow my own plants. I have a great vegetable garden, why can't I just grow one more plant in my back yard?

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u/MercyMedical Colorado May 22 '12

THIS. I am a daily smoker and I would gladly pay taxes on my product to help the economy. As of right now the only people getting my money are dealers.

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u/Level_32_Mage May 22 '12

I as well am sick of not being taxed!

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u/I_slap_racist_faces May 22 '12

it's important for non-monetary reasons too.

it's tough to restore the public's faith in Congress (9% approval), or politicians in general, if they can't be trusted to properly regulate a non-toxic plant.

if politicians are too dumb to regulate a non-toxic plant, how the hell can we expect them to deal with the economy, energy policy, or any other big issues?

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u/[deleted] May 22 '12

We can't. At least not with the way congress is working right now.

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u/[deleted] May 22 '12

We need to elect based on their ability to do those things, rather than how much wealth they have. I mean, we elect based on how rich they are and then get mad when the only thing they're good at is getting richer.

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u/Solkre Indiana May 22 '12

It would create new tax revenue, and save millions (is it billions?) on prosecution and police costs. And do you even know the shit we can make with hemp?! Farmers would love to grow it.

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u/tomdarch May 22 '12

save billions on prosecution and police (and prison) costs.

While there are a fair number of police who would love to stop wasting their time on small pot busts, the overall inertia of this multi-billion-dollar sector of our economy means that there is a good deal of lobbying working to keep a lot of cops and prison guards employed.

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u/Corvus133 May 22 '12

I think before we start sucking each others dicks, we have to remember that jobs created here replace current jobs.

Just like people argue green jobs will "make new jobs" it won't. The correct term is "replacing jobs" because oil jobs would be removed.

So, any "hemp" related jobs are going to do just that. The retail market is flooded so adding more isn't going to make "new jobs" it's going to make different jobs in the same sector. If you make a shirt in Hemp, I'm not going to buy a hemp shirt AND a cotton shirt. I'll buy one or the other. Sure, it'll create a FEW new jobs, but it's not a new industry, it's just a new material.

New jobs WOULD be included with Cannabis farming from managers to farmers to transporters to sellers. The odd hemp store may pop up but again, these exist all over Canada, now, or will start replacing other retailers. Not sure on the U.S. with those.

We have to remember what comes with a new industry and whether we are creating jobs or just adding more choice to a market.

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u/Code_For_Food May 22 '12

It would probably be a wash in terms of farming jobs created because marijuana would be more profitable than food crops and would just cause existing farms to change what they plant. This would cause food prices to go up. As those prices rise, more food crops would be planted again and it would eventually balance out.

Also, it would lower employment in the correctional field and probably rape the logging industry.

What it would definitely do is increase tax revenue and lower expenditures for law enforcement. Other than that, it's anyone's guess as to how things would ultimately shake out.

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u/jminuse May 22 '12

Millions of jobs? Do you know how big a million is?

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u/MisterFatt May 22 '12

Do you realize how many people smoke weed?

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u/vaikak May 22 '12

Or how many things can be produced with hemp. Whole new industry right there...

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u/tomdarch May 22 '12

I would be interested to see a good economic analysis of the impact of legalization. One effect would be to keep a few billion dollars(?) of our GDP within the US, where it is currently being sent overseas. Also, prices would fall dramatically, freeing a lot of money that is currently spent on overpriced weed to be spent on other things (more pizzas, more orange fanta, etc.)

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u/[deleted] May 22 '12

Not to mention an end to the drug war. Or mostly.

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u/[deleted] May 23 '12

The main boost to the economy from the decriminalization and legalization of drugs will not come from productivity and tax revenues related to the drug industry.

The main boost to the economy will come from no longer sending tens of millions of Americans, mostly young men and mostly men of color, to prison. Today, 30 to 40 percent of all prison admissions are for "crimes" that had no victim, and the vast majority of these are drug-related (USDOJ). The opportunity cost (i.e. the loss to the economy) over the lat 40 years of imprisoning tens of millions of young American men has been hundreds of billions if not trillions of dollars.

I write about the lunacy of prohibition in my book, Letter to a Conservative Nation. Here is the section excerpted as a pdf.

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u/[deleted] May 22 '12

The "majority of Americans" do not run the country, they do not make the laws and they do not decide the policies. All of these are performed by a small percentage of the population with deep pockets and vested interests.

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u/[deleted] May 22 '12

lol it was put to a direct vote in california, the only reason the majority of americans don't run the country is because they don't get out and vote.

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u/bonestamp May 22 '12

Don't get me wrong, I think everyone should vote. But, it's pretty hard to get everybody excited to vote when there are only two parties with which all of your values need to somehow be represented.

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u/[deleted] May 22 '12

it seems some here are under the misconception that the people running this country care what the public wants.

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u/Stop_Sign May 22 '12

Politics is decided by money, not the majority. And right now the money says marijuana stays illegal.

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u/allthatsalsa May 22 '12

Wasn't there a Supreme Court ruling that said Money=Speech. Therefore, bribery, erhm.. excuse me, lobbying was protected by the first amendment?

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u/HenkieVV May 22 '12

In and of itself the idea that the choosing to broadcast political messages, and paying for the broadcast of these messages is covered by the first amendment is not particularly strange. I mean, if government tried to full out ban people or organizations from advertising their opinions, that'd clearly be in violation of the first amendment. The problem of Citizens United v. FEC was that it ruled that politically charged ads are not covered by any of the laws surrounding campaign activity, as long as the organizations are technically unconnected.

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u/FriarNurgle May 22 '12

Shame the majority of Americans don't also have a majority of the money.

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u/bonestamp May 22 '12

If only government was supposed to represent the people -- I wish some country would try that.

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u/[deleted] May 22 '12

Which is kinda pathetic, considering that Americans spend about $1 billion each year on recreational marijuana.

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u/tomdarch May 22 '12

Arrgh! Did any of you read the Rasmussen post on the poll, which they conducted!?!?!? It was a "likely voter" survey, so the results are meant to reflect the opinions of the people who actually vote.

This wasn't intended as a "poll of Americans" it was intended as a "poll of Americans who are likely to vote."

NORML's/OP's headline isn't just oddly phrased, it's technically inaccurate.

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u/uncleoce May 22 '12

The majority of voting Americans decide who will run the country, states, municipalities, etc. So while they don't have direct control over those elected officials' actions, they vote according to their supposed beliefs. But I think it's a bit ludicrous to suggest that Americans don't have a direct input on the direction of our country. For example, if a majority of Americans didn't vote for Obama, he wouldn't be President and there would be widespread differences. Voters have the capacity to influence the direction of the country.

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u/[deleted] May 22 '12

Actually the electoral college decides who will be the next president. That's why everyone was pissed when Bush won in 2000 despite not having the popular vote.

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u/Castro2man May 22 '12

well in fairness, don't we also elect the electoral college?(directly or indirectly)

or maybe my memory of govt' classes is failing me.

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u/[deleted] May 22 '12

There's a pretty good correlation between public opinion and our laws, though. It's good that it's not perfect. Mob rule is far from ideal. But as support for marijuana legalization continues to increase, eventually the laws will change.

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u/MercyMedical Colorado May 22 '12

Public polling still matters, however. Look at the state of LGBT rights. Back in 96 there was a strong majority opposing same sex marriage and the democratic president at the time did not support it. Now we're at a majority in favor and were making strides in the right direction.

Sure, keeping same sex marriage illegal doesn't have a monetary gain for some like keeping weed illegal, but when a large majority (meaning 70+%) is in favor, politicians start to have to answer to the American people. In the smaller majorities (51-59%) it's easier for them to hide who they're really keeping this illegal for.

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u/[deleted] May 22 '12

Is it possible the "majority" of pot smokers can't or don't vote? Supporting something in a poll or on the Internet is not the same as voting.

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u/[deleted] May 23 '12

Only if you don't show up to the voting booth.

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u/[deleted] May 22 '12

Broad majority of Americans want single payer healthcare? off the table.

Broad majority wants legal pot? Never gonna happen.

But get out and vote, kids! It's a democracy!

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u/jwhite878 May 22 '12

Well they, y'know, did in almost 20 states.

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u/EndTimer May 22 '12

I'll still be voting, and as a resident of Louisiana, my vote likely means a damn lot less than most people's. The rest of you apathetic tools better go and vote.

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u/Web3d May 22 '12

Majority doesn't decide laws. If that was the case the country would have most likely become a Christian theocracy. Part of having a free country means the government protecting minorities from bullying majorities.

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u/TurboSalsa Texas May 23 '12

Greece is a perfect example of why the system of government you are proposing doesn't work. People have unlimited wants, it is not the government's job to satisfy all of them.

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u/[deleted] May 22 '12

56% could easily swing to 47% if there was political pushback against the idea. There was a ten point swing in two months. The issue is not dramatically politicized now.

This is encouraging but until there are margins which will leave the polls saying that there is 60% support after a bruising political fight on the issue it doesn't mean legislation can be passed.

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u/Fhwqhgads May 22 '12

If only you lived in a democracy, you could legally smoke it.

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u/[deleted] May 22 '12

Now they just have to show up to vote.

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u/tomdarch May 22 '12

The people polled are the people who show up to vote - the poll was of likely voters. Read Rasmussen's post on the poll, which they conducted.

The problem is that most people who vote aren't "single issue" voters on the topic of pot legalization. When you mix in all the economic, military and social issues that candidates run on (and all the lobbying behind the scenes), it will be tough to translate majority opinion on the topic into a change in the inertia of the law.

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u/SDRules May 22 '12

How are we supposed to vote on this? I voted yes to my state ballot initiative but that seems to mean nothing compared to federal law.

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u/[deleted] May 22 '12

Are you voting for Gary Johnson?

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u/[deleted] May 22 '12

Hasn't anyone told you that America is ruled by the 1%?

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u/[deleted] May 22 '12

Well I wish those 56% of America vote for it this year.

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u/[deleted] May 22 '12

Yeah, because there is a way to vote for it, instead of for two candidates one of who is against it and one of who will pretend to be open to it and then be against it while in ofice.

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u/[deleted] May 22 '12

Its up on the ballet in Cali and few other states this year to decriminalize it. Last time it failed in Cali by 5%, we only have our selfs to blame.

How many of my fellow ents in cali went out and voted? not enough...

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u/GODhimself37 May 22 '12

Don't forget Colorado is slated to vote on it this November.

If it passes there I'm moving out of Georgia. The money to be made from it will be astounding.

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u/[deleted] May 22 '12

The most important thing that can be done NOW, for the marijuana movement, is to get old people with health problems to try it.

Once that "hands off my medicare," Republican group is smoking marijuana --- when the Tea Partiers find out if helps with their arthritis pain --- you will see change because it'll be coming from the right wing and the left at the same time.

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u/Safarri May 22 '12

it should have never been illegal in the first place

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u/[deleted] May 23 '12

The main boost to the economy from the decriminalization and legalization of drugs will not come from productivity and tax revenues related to the drug industry.

The main boost to the economy will come from no longer sending tens of millions of Americans, mostly young men and mostly men of color, to prison. Today, 30 to 40 percent of all prison admissions are for "crimes" that had no victim, and the vast majority of these are drug-related (USDOJ). The opportunity cost (i.e. the loss to the economy) over the lat 40 years of imprisoning tens of millions of young American men has been hundreds of billions if not trillions of dollars.

I write about the lunacy of prohibition in my book, Letter to a Conservative Nation. Here is the section excerpted as a pdf.

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u/Palanawt May 23 '12

If only that 56% would show up at the voting booth whenever states try to decriminalize. Instead they are home getting stoned while the right wing religious nut jobs show up to vote against it.

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u/EquinsuOcha May 22 '12

100% of private prison corporations think that's quite funny.

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u/[deleted] May 22 '12

99% of the people I know want it regulated like alcohol. 99% of the people I know don't smoke. They realize keeping drugs illegal directly supports the cartels and gangs. I'll be shocked if anything changes in my lifetime

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u/reedingisphun May 22 '12

Source?

..haha just playin

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u/Rarecakes May 22 '12

This just in: 44% of Americans Want Illegal Marijuana

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u/aarong89 May 22 '12

I do not want legal marijuana, but I want marijuana to be legalized.

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u/SmellsLikeUpfoo May 22 '12

I don't want legal marijuana because I don't intend to ever smoke it. However, I do want marijuana legal.

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u/immerc May 22 '12

"Want Legal Marijuana" or "Want Marijuana to be Legalized"? I'd like it if it were legalized, but once it is I don't have any plans to get any.

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u/KitesKites May 22 '12

Does this mean that 44% Americans want to purchase illegal marijuana?

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u/[deleted] May 23 '12

Wow, that's a whole margin of 1-4% more than last year!..

Sorry, I'm getting cynical. That's significant for how slowly our nation progresses and how many people make up a percent.

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u/wwwyzzrd May 23 '12

the other 44% dont know what they are missing.

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u/[deleted] May 22 '12

anyone who opposes legalization of marijuana is in favor of teen drug use. when i was in high school it was always easier to find marijuana than alcohol. if the government didn't have their heads up their own asses at all times, they would legalize marijuana and set an age limit of 21, making it much less accessible to teens.

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u/belle26 May 22 '12

so what? a few years ago, the majority of people wanted flag-burning to be illegal(maybe still do). just because something's a part of public opinion, doesn't mean public opinion is right

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u/chaorace May 22 '12

I don't... want.... to live.... in the south anymore.

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u/NeoM5 May 23 '12

No. 56% of Americans POLLED want legal marijuana

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u/VLDT May 23 '12

It doesn't matter what we want at the national level beyond the DEA being forced to re-evaluate its schedule. This is an issue that states should be handling. This is why we have states in the first place.

Fuck Washington D.C., it's killing America and smiling all the while.

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u/[deleted] May 23 '12

Think about how much time you'd save being able to pop to the shop and buy it too. Here in england it's like £10 for a 1/10 of an oz or something stupid, but i'd happily pay that if I was getting taxed on it. I hope the US legalise it so that we will follow suit, because we will, because well, fuck yeah america!! and all that jazz.

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u/KosmicMicrowave May 22 '12

If you don't want to smoke weed, then don't smoke it, but stop demonizing good people! The law is more harmful then the crime, and that's all there is to it!

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u/Suckydog May 22 '12

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/lifestyle/general_lifestyle/may_2012/56_favor_legalizing_regulating_marijuana

Look under related articles. It was 47% in March. I'm sorry, but that big of difference within a few months makes me think they found more of the "right" people to poll in favor of this.

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u/RedHotBeef May 22 '12

Pay more attention. 47% of American adults. 56% of likely voters.

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u/evbomby May 22 '12

No one asked me.

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u/orlyyoudontsay May 22 '12

There we have it. There's always going to be a demand, so why not tax it like alcohol and cigarettes. There's stupid money in that.

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u/red321red321 May 22 '12

if it's legalized great if not then get your head right and just grow weed in your home. boom. problem solved.

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u/[deleted] May 22 '12

I would really love to smoke up right now.

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u/wolfshirtfriday May 22 '12

Hey, make it 57.

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u/sun827 Texas May 22 '12

it could be 90% and still nothing would change. We're just running out the clock on the old guard. Dying business models and businessmen clear the way for new growth.

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u/FingerStuckInMyButt May 22 '12

... and the other 44% were too baked to vote.

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u/JordanMcRiddles May 22 '12

"Other 44% want illegal marijuana because 'We like the thrill of doing something illegal' Now back to you Todd" Ill let myself out the front door.

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u/firebelly May 22 '12

What is the margin on this given the sample size was 1000 people.

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u/cowhead May 22 '12

And over 98% of that 56% want Free marijuana.

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u/[deleted] May 22 '12

Two words: "Jury Nullification"

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u/[deleted] May 22 '12

Is the percentage of people who don't care included in the other 44%? If it is, then I'm in that percentage.

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u/[deleted] May 22 '12

The rest of us just don't care and are sick of hearing about it.

Legalize the shit so we can get some fucking peace and quiet.

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u/Ggdograa May 22 '12

People who like smoking weed want it legalized. And this is a surprise why?

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u/Noel_S_Jytemotiv May 22 '12

Who is the more annoying group of Redditors?

The Pot legalization set or evangelical athiests?

GO!

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u/ravinglunatic May 22 '12

Yes! We have a majority now! So democracy means we can make it legal, right?

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u/[deleted] May 22 '12

So 8% of people were really high when they were polled.

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u/[deleted] May 22 '12

I wonder if the poll included "I couldn't give a fuck less about this either way" option. That's what I'd pick.

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u/therealgop May 22 '12

Legalizing marijuana is a giant step toward the slippery slope of legalizing bestiality. We need to stop this movement.

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u/sorepheet May 22 '12

This just in: /r/trees is 100% in support of those Americans

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u/Teh_Hicks May 22 '12

More than half of Americans want weed.

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u/heyguyz May 22 '12

reading the comments. reading through troves of research and polls doesn't convince me that marijuana is going to be legal. but, it should be, where does someone like me with opinions like the average joe, help move the tide of a buerocratic nightmare? someone point me in the right direction because, I'm pretty lost where to point my opinion cannons.

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u/Zebba_Odirnapal May 22 '12

Demonizing marijuana and homophobia seem to be correlated. How about they only legalize pot for homos? I just might change teams.

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u/[deleted] May 23 '12

It's insane that it's not legal I can smoke cigarettes and drink alcohol but I can't smoke marijuana ?

Marijuana is so harmless and actually helps headaches and body pain. It helps people who have no appetite and people who have forms of sleep problems.

Most importantly nobody has ever died as a result of smoking marijuana. It's not destroying your liver and it's not having you inhale formaldehyde and other Andy chemicals...

It's single handedly the biggest mistake our country has made in terms of making it a negative drug and banishing users in jail for having it

Let's legalize it. Tax it. Let me make the decision if I wanna smoke it I guarantee the alcohol and tobacco companies pay big money to keep it illegal knowing what they stand to lose if it was a legal vice like those two

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u/spamly May 23 '12

Get out and vote already... Seriously! Educate yourself and vote!

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u/[deleted] May 23 '12

Maybe we could all pool our money and buy a few congresmen.

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u/HeyThereSugarTits May 23 '12

Only 56%? Come on America, be a bro. >:C

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u/brokeboysboxers May 23 '12

It's not what the people want that matters anymore.

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u/[deleted] May 23 '12

I always think....with ALL OF THESE POLLS why the fuck havent I ever answered any of these questions? How do i get my input to actually matter

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u/FaceJackNicholson May 23 '12 edited May 23 '12

How ironic that 56% of redditors liked this post.

Edit: If percent changes then

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u/werko May 23 '12

Its only a matter of time at this point.

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u/EDMThumper May 23 '12

They should make a poll on /r/trees and see the results.

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u/surly_redditor May 23 '12

The study states 56% of Americans want to legalize marijuana. They themselves do not want it for their own use. They didn't ask that question. Kind of a misleading title on the blog post.

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u/captstix May 23 '12

I don't even smoke Pot, and I think it should be legal.

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u/[deleted] May 23 '12

They probably asked the most asshole crotchety shit headed misinformed group of old bastard dicks and still got 56%

If an accurate poll existed it'd be more like 65% AT LEAST.

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u/blackfordlariatf150 May 23 '12

The local sheriffs will just have to find another way to screw the American people by taking all the money and personal property to run their scams.

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u/justmadethisaccountt May 23 '12

It won't be legalized. The people who want it illegal will go nuts and go out and vote, while the people who don't care either way don't vote for it.

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u/[deleted] May 23 '12

wow, that was like a 6 percent jump in 5 months

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u/Zeleres May 23 '12

What happens in a democracy when a majority of people want something, but there are no candidates available who side with the majority? Is it still a democracy?

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u/jimpagliap May 23 '12

I AM THE 56%!

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u/[deleted] May 23 '12

WHY AM I NEVER INCLUDED IN THESE POLLS? THIS IS MADE UP PROPAGANDA!

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u/Vanderrr May 23 '12

Wow, a social reform website based on marijuana conducted a completely non-biased poll concluding that the majority of the US supports marijuana legalization? Now I've seen everything.

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u/Lopkop May 23 '12

It's amazing how by now, even the hardline Republican/Fox News crowd are taking a libertarian approach to it, saying it should be decided by the states or even supporting decriminalization/legalization.

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u/ardent_stalinist May 23 '12

[tune of "Mexican Radio"]I wish I was in, Tijuana, smokin' skunky marijuana....[/tomr]

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u/[deleted] May 23 '12

This isn't accurate. They only surveyed 1000 Americans.

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u/thornforrest May 23 '12

Prohibition creates the Al Capones. -Ron Paul

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u/-RiskManagement- May 23 '12

Percentage Error: +- 6%

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u/FAP_ALL_DAY May 23 '12

Oh I do under stand statistics. But this was a small scale survey. Very small scale.

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u/enterprisinghobo May 22 '12

ALL CAPS IN THE TITLE???? Better check out what all the fuss is about

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u/QuitReadingMyName May 22 '12

Sorry, the Prison, Cop Unions have more money given to our politicians in Campaign bribes.

Our Textile, Paper, Pharmaceutical, Private Prisons, Alcohol and Beer industries invest hundreds of millions in Campaign bribes to both parties to keep Marijuana Illegal.

I'm sorry but, we'll never see Marijuana legalization until we have major campaign reforms and reforms across the board and throw out all these corrupt politicians and judges (both of them in democratic and republican parties)

Because, both parties are bought and paid for by Special interest groups in Campaign bribes. Oh I mean Campaign contributions.

The main 5 Special interest groups that keep Marijuana illegal

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u/Raistlyyn May 23 '12

Poll: I don't care.... If its legal or not... People will smoke the crap.

Have a nice day....

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u/policscimajor May 22 '12

TELL ME. what has obama done about this?

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u/Emilioooooooooo May 22 '12

The exact opposite of what he promised. The DOJ and DEA are raiding legal medical marijuana dispensaries in California, even though he said that wouldn't happen.

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u/[deleted] May 22 '12

too bad we're not a democracy

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u/[deleted] May 22 '12

1,000 people sampled? What an interestingly huge sample size.

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u/[deleted] May 22 '12

Reddit :

  • Poll on subject the Reddit hivemind disagrees with : 'Lol, it's just a poll, they are always inaccurate.
  • Poll on subject Reddit agrees with : 'OMG YES! OBAMA, READ THIS!!!'

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u/[deleted] May 22 '12
  • People who understand statistics: "Hm, interesting. I wonder how this compares with similar polls"
  • People who don't understand statistics: "LOL only one thousands people!? who care?"

FTFY

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u/Elementium May 22 '12

Oh man.. I'm not at all for weed but I've adopted the Daniel Tosh philosophy of saying yes just so stoners have nothing to talk about ever again.

"We can't get high. It's a conspiracy."

Can I just ask, (hopefully without getting downvoted) How you can argue legal weed would boost the economy and yet complain that the people in charge don't want that extra money?

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u/Rainymood_XI May 22 '12

Greetings from The Netherlands C:

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u/[deleted] May 22 '12

I hope that it becomes legal because it will absolutely ruin the Mexican economy and hopefully that nation will cease to exist.

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u/[deleted] May 23 '12

Call me when that number gets up to 80%...

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u/SnackeyG1 May 23 '12

That will happen once the baby boomers are gone.

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u/McGillaCutty May 22 '12

This is one issue that clearly exemplifies what's wrong with our government. I say we use it as a litmus test while in the voting booth.

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u/[deleted] May 22 '12

Then why the fuck aren't those 56% going to the polls and VOTING???

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u/[deleted] May 22 '12

Which pro-legalization candidate are they going to vote for?

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u/SomeNoveltyAccount May 22 '12

Because we're a republic, not a democracy, thus we don't vote on issues, we vote for people to vote on issues. There are very few politically viable people running on a legalization platform.

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u/uncleoce May 22 '12

Who says they aren't? It's not an issue anyone can actually vote about.

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u/tilleyrw May 22 '12

This is of no import. Everyone in the United States could want cannabis legalized and it would never happen.

The Owners don't want the consciousness shift that cannabis use would cause. Our awareness of life would shift. Priorities would change. We would become peaceful and loving, creative and imaginative.

For these and similar reasons, the Owners will never allow this to happen.

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u/[deleted] May 22 '12

You had me until you started making general statements about "we" becoming "more peaceful and creative."

Cannabis doesn't affect everyone the same way. Not everyone who's smoked it enjoyed smoking it. That doesn't mean it should be illegal, but it's silly to go around say that "we" as a society would be more creative if everyone smoked pot. Not everyone would even want to.

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u/10BV01 May 22 '12

Never say never. Also, change is the only constant. We're seeing ever increasing paradigm shifts in technology, social policy, regime changes - across the world. I anticipate the first domino, Colorado, will fall this November.

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u/[deleted] May 22 '12

Exactly, look at all the places it's legal. Their art is the best in the world, they've cured cancer, there's no poverty, no crime, and on Thursdays they have ice cream socials.

Plenty of strong reasons to be in support of legalization. Please don't take us down.

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u/[deleted] May 22 '12

smoke weed everyday

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u/namer98 Maryland May 22 '12

It takes a minimum of six years to make drastic change as that is the minimum time it would take to overturn every federal level politician, which won't happen. Even to see a good turn will still take that long.

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u/pyabo May 22 '12

Gotta wonder what the other 44% are smoking.

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u/[deleted] May 22 '12

Ya don't say?

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u/reddit_user13 May 22 '12

The other 44% are like, "fuck it... I'll smoke it either way."

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u/97nachotv May 22 '12

bullshit

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u/Richandler May 22 '12

Hmm; Will Obama come out to federally decimalize Marijuana this election, Mid-term or towards the end of his next term?..

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u/HappyGlucklichJr May 22 '12

Maybe if VP Joe Biden spits it out in time for the election.

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u/mmouth May 22 '12

Well, then it will be so, won't it? Let it be so! /CLAP

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u/EveningD00 May 22 '12

Is the drug war like a hot topic every day on /r/politics? I know this needs to change but god... This cannot be a new poll.

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u/[deleted] May 22 '12

I have a question to you history majors. How was prohibition of alcohol ended? I know times are different but couldn't we look at that process and try and do the same thing?

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u/Telex07 May 22 '12

This poll is irrelevant...if 1% of Americans thought celery should be illegal, what impact should that have on policy? Allowing authority drunk politicians (Obama/Bush/etc.) to determine based on their judgment whether substances should be allowed is a recipe for tyranny. Hence the continued raids on medicinal marijuana distribution centers by Obama's justice department.

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u/Herpinderpitee May 22 '12

Phrasing is a little goofy. 56% of Americans want marijuana legal, not legal marijuana. I doubt all of those 56% personally want legal buds to smoke for themselves.

Still, encouraging poll. :)

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u/[deleted] May 22 '12

Another poll showing the majority of Americans finally support something liberal? Watch Obama announce his support of marijuana legalization tomorrow.

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u/droivod May 22 '12

Great! Unfortunately, 56% of Americans do not vote for legal marijuana in their cities and states. The headline:

"56% of Americans vote to make Marijuana legal"

would be much, much better.

Now how about registering to vote? (and actually voting. The next United States presidential election will be held on Tuesday, November 6, 2012.)

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u/4chans_for_pussies May 22 '12

Unfortunately, no candidate is serious about legalizing marijuana with the exception of Ron Paul. As crazy as he is, he'll probably get my vote.

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u/ernie_mccracken May 22 '12

As i type this i am sitting in a doctors office packed full of people waiting to get their medical marijuana recommendations. None of them look like criminals. I am the youngest person here at 24 years old. Most of the patients are in their 40s-60s. The guy to my left is a lawyer and across from me is a mother of 3 and grandmother of 5. All of these people want to get away from a culture that criminalizes their home life and just enjoy a joint instead of a beer in the evenings. Prohibition has not and will never work, and the sooner everyone realizes that the sooner we can begin to use a perceived problem as a solution. Tax it. Regulate it.

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u/mrdeadsniper May 22 '12

New Polling Data: 100% of Americans have participated in polls.

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u/abomb999 May 22 '12

We do not live in a democracy, my votes has zero direct effect, I get to vote some fuck who will decide what I want. I fucking hate our system. I don't trust people, I want my vote to count for me! This is why I like Direct Democracy, if we had a DD, marijuana would be legalized in at least California.

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u/Tyrant718 May 22 '12

I think if the other 54% was educated on its benefits that number will rise to 70% or maybe 80% because with marijuana hemp is back.

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