Marijuana: Zogby Poll Shows Majority Support for Taxing and Regulating Marijuana on the West Coast, Support Climbing Nationwide
Support for taxing and regulating marijuana has climbed above 50% on the West Coast, according to a national poll of 1,053 registered voters. The poll was conducted by Zogby International and was commissioned by California NORML and Oakland's Oaksterdam University.
[inline:marijuana-plants.jpg align=left caption="marijuana plants (photo from US Fish and Wildlife Service via Wikimedia)"]The poll found that 58% of West Coast respondents agreed that marijuana should be "taxed and regulated like alcohol and cigarettes." Only 36% of West Coast respondents disagreed.
On the East Coast, 48% supported legalizing marijuana. In the south and central US, support fell to 37%. Overall, 44% of respondents nationwide agreed that pot should be taxed and regulated.
That's roughly in line with a CBS/New York Times poll earlier this month that found 41% of Americans favored legalizing marijuana, up from just 27% in 1979. That, said national NORML executive director Allen St. Pierre, is a good thing.
"Public support for replacing the illicit marijuana market with a legally regulated, controlled market similar to alcohol, complete with age restrictions and quality controls, continues to grow, and appears to have achieved majority support on the West Coast -- where many voters are already familiar with the state-licensed use and, in some cases, sale of medical cannabis," he said.
"As voters and legislators continue to look for alternative ways to raise tax revenue for public services and reduce law enforcement costs in this troubled economy, we expect the public's support for taxing and regulating cannabis to continue to grow -- not just on the West Coast, but nationwide."
Comments
Marijuana is not illegal
Marijuana is not illegal. Marijuana was made illegal illegally. therefore the people who force prohibition are operating an unconstitutional government;a government that operates illegally is a fraudulently occupying force. Any forced illegal government operation is called a terrorist or foreign occupation. The fact is that more than 90 percent of people want all herbs and drugs to be free from violent trade and prohibition and will never answer a questionaire about leglizing herbs/drugs honestly out of fear and duress
In reply to Marijuana is not illegal by Anonymous (not verified)
back this up
i am all for drug law reformation; however, if we are to responsibly bring this topic up and be taken seriously we need to have our facts straight. where does this 90% number come from? if 90% of people will never answer a drug survey honestly, how do you know that? was that a question on the questionnaire?
"Would you tell the truth on a survey asking about the legalization of drugs?"
Would that question be answered truthfully?
The fact is that there is no basis to this claim. We must be better informed in order to properly inform others.
In reply to back this up by Anonymous (not verified)
Although it's ridiculous to
Although it's ridiculous to state that 90% of people lie about there dispositions toward legalization of marijuana, it is a legitimate point that many people are more pressured by the propaganda and public opinion about marijuana. I know that before I really looked into the topic of drug prohibition, I would have been in disbelief over the idea that drugs could be legal. It's not easy to disagree with a majority that is so entrenched in American culture in the form of the drug war.
In reply to Marijuana is not illegal by Anonymous (not verified)
I want to pay off the national debt by smoking pot
If they would just legalize pot, it would put a huge dent in the illegal drug traffic while at the same time raise revenue for this country to get it's ass out of the abyss of debt that they have gotten us into.
Just think of all the money that would be made by turning over a new pot leaf to the American people who could legally grow, sell and purchase weed to adults over 18. If you don't smoke it, then don't buy it, just like if you don't drink alcohol, then you don't buy it!
But for those who do I say, Live and Let Live, and use that money to buy our country back before it's too late!
In reply to I want to pay off the national debt by smoking pot by Anonymous (not verified)
Hear hear!
Hear hear!
Here's hoping for legalization referendums out west in 2010
If these results are confirmed by other polls... !!!
Tick Tock
It's only a matter of time. That's the problem with suppressing the truth, it always leaches out eventually. Finally, 70 years later, the influence of racist zealots like Harry Anslinger and William Randolph Hearst are finally fading away.
It's an exciting time!
90% of my peers favor...
Taxation of marijuana. Why? Because the people I deal with get it. Some buy beer, some buy tobacco but all are automatically required to pay the "levy". It is obvious the "powers-to-be" fear that the real will be uncovered: MARIJUANA (HEMP) HAS OVER 25,000 REGISTERED USES; EVERYTHING FROM CLOTHING TO BUILDING PRODUCTS, FROM FOOD TO CAR FUEL, FROM MEDICINAL TO RECREATIONAL. MARIJUANA TAXATION WOULD NOT DE-STABILIZE THE MARKETS BECAUSE THEY ARE DRIVEN BY REVENUE. IT WOULD ACTUALLY DE-STABILIZE THE OWNERS OF THESE MARKETS DUE TO EMERGENCE OF NEW OWNERS AND INDUSTRIES. AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THEY DON'T WANT! TAXATION ON MARIJUANA WOULD ELIMINATE THE NEED FOR A BLACK MARKET (partially), AND MOST BANKS AND INSTITUTIONS THAT BENEFIT FROM IT WOULD GRADUALLY DISAPPEAR.
In reply to 90% of my peers favor... by Anonymous (not verified)
you are so right
there is too much money for the drug lords that control the government, they don't want to lose their revenue stream. how do you think hilary clinton made so much money real fast in the stockmarket? yeah right. illegal money doesn't have to be reported on their taxes.
when JOE the Plumber can grow his own or get a quality pack pre-rolled then the money to the drug lords dies along with legality.
Medical Marijuana for lumber and buidling homes
When Oregons medical marijuana program started.A bunch of us wanted to grow huge potent medical marijuana plants in large numbers to supply a lumber,fiberboard,and hempcrete mill. To our surprise the local police sided with The wall street feds and told us they would use intimidation and violence against us if we were to go forward with the dual purpose grow. The insane thing about the police and wall street is that they dont seem to care about mills closing and jobs being lost.
back this up ?
oh it is backed up ! its forward. its real. the drug war is over but the terrorists at local,state,federal, and global levels refuse to get out .
Re-Legalize but Treat Like Home Brewed Beer
I think the debate is intentionally being driven toward a tax and regulate model Vs the MERP Model which protects personal cultivation from taxes, regulation and other forms of government interference. Most activists prefer the MERP Model once they understand the additional benefits inherent within the MERP Model. The MERP Model is much like the way we currently treat the home brewing of beer or the making of home produced wine.
The following link and video does a good job of framing a debate between models:
Re-Legalize Marijuana Now, Obama (1)
http://www.newagecitizen.com/MERP/RelegalizeNowObama01.htm
If you like the MERP Model please do me the favor of distributing this link far and wide. The text is readable in any language.
In reply to Re-Legalize but Treat Like Home Brewed Beer by Anonymous (not verified)
The MERP Model?
If this MERP model is just like BERP Model but with "new and improved" stamped on it, I'm a little weary about throwing me support behind it.
BACKN IT UP
98 % OF PEOPLE I KNOW ARE AGAINST PROHIBITIONS WARS AND PLUNDER IN GENERAL. THE OTHER TWO PERCENT I WONT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH OTHER THAN TELLING THEM TO STAY AWAY FROM ME.
The problems with polls...
The options are a way of channeling thought.
Marijuana should be treated like tomatoes.
No taxes. No regulation. Nothing. Tomatoes.
Anything else is an unnecessary intrusion on our rights.
Legalizing Weed More Popular Than Rush Limbaugh
This poll demonstrates the potency of the cannabis legalization movement. Arch conservative politicians and numb nuts such as Limbaugh should take note: block cannabis legalization at your own peril!
please legalize it
weed would do so much to bring this country back wtf can we do to push this on through and get it legalized
The time has come.
I wish we could get some honest, factual commercials into prime time or at least the evening news hour. It has been the propaganda war against marijuana that has the growing minority still thinking it is an evil drug.
We need a good ad company. Those people can get you to buy into anything.
just a thought
I am surprised that Phillip-Morris or somebody isn't running with the idea of legalizing. They could so easily convert their production from tobacco cigarettes to packs of marijuana joints.
That would be great as long as they kept the damn chemicals out.
Hemp Can Save The Economy
If we as responsible adults utilize hemp to its full potiental, heres what it could potentialy do fro our economy:
*Manufacturaring jobs from bio-diesel production.
*Hemp harvesting -more jobs.
*Fiber production-jobs.
*Paper production-jobs-no more trees for paper.
*Rubber manufacturing-tires-shoes-no more petrolem based rubber
*Car parts-lighter yet stronger than steel
*Food production-jobs-seeds contain essential fatty acids that promote brain health.
*Cosmetics-nontoxic
*Cleaners-biodegradeable
*Clothing production-jobs-durable-long lasting
*Building material-more affordable housing
*Oil production-jobs-healthfood-ecofriendly lubricants
*Save 200 Million a year on importing from international sources
*Make 50 Billion+ a year from Cannabis taxation
*Eliminate 50% to 75% of drug trafficing
*Helpcurve drug related violence everywhere.
Lets turn this recession around.Lets make our biggest cash crop really work for us .Peace
legalizing
legalize marijuana, & I'll bet you those negative poll numbers would change in a very short period of time. What are we living in the 1930's. Americans want this now, America needs this now. GOD BLESS AMERICA
What was the poll truly
What was the poll truly about, marijuana, or drugs in general? If it was about drugs in general, then you're not going to get an accurate number. Should marijuana be legalized? Certainly. What would happen if it was? The end of the current recession. Studies have proven that alcohol is far more dangerous than marijuana. Obviously it's not about public safety. Criminalization has only created criminals where there are none and pushed western countries into debt. It costs money to house and feed those people arrested for simple possession.
Legalize Now
Some of the above comments reflect the many uses of the marijuana plant. It is absolutely true that marijuana is one of if not the most useful substances on the planet. Lobbyists pushed for prohibition of marijuana to forcefully narrow the playing field and cut out competition. The time to legalize marijuana is now!!!
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