Strong Majority Believes Marijuana Could Become Legal Soon
A new Rasmussen poll finds 43% of American in favor of legalizing marijuana, with 42% opposed. But what really got my attention was this stat on attitudes about whether legalization is likely to happen:
However, 65% believe it is at least somewhat likely marijuana will be legalized in the United States in the next 10 years. Just 28% do not expect this to happen.
This emerging sense of optimism is more than just a measure of our success. Upon taking hold, it becomes a weapon more potent than any talking point at our disposal. This movement was formed in the drug war's darkest years by people whose belief in justice overcame the intimidating specter of the prohibitionist empire. We've gone from a fringe movement of academics and weirdos to a massive coalition that spans the political spectrum and shapes the public debate. This was possible only because we believed it could be done, and each new victory is a critical step towards inspiring and activating those who have yet to join our ranks.
At the same time, we have much to gain by driving our opponents to desperation or disillusionment. The political favor once enjoyed by prohibitionist politicians is nowhere to be found and the inherent violence and abuse of modern drug enforcement is chronicled by the press in vivid detail. Those who persist in defending such madness are increasingly met with skepticism and condemnation, further eroding incentives for drug warriors who aren't well compensated for their time. All of this might explain why today's anti-legalization advocacy is so often carried out by idiots who know as little about basic grammar as they do about marijuana.
Looking for the easiest way to join the anti-drug war movement? You've found it!
Interesting points on consequences of expecting legalization
Desperation tends to make people say or do ill advised things. I'd say an anti-marijuana (so effectively pro-alcohol and pro-black market) group calling themselves CALM fits this description, it's also a stunning example of using Big Lie tactics, since every serious person knows that cannabis keeps people much calmer than alcohol. Politicians who see these poll numbers, especially younger and Democratic politicians, are likely to be more careful taking a position on cannabis. People who support cannabis prohibition online are met with a wave of criticism enumerating all the advantages to ending alcohol supremacism. A lot of them just don't know that much about marijuana, and I think some of them are changing their views, or the intensity/certainty of their views, after being confronted with the persistent arguments of dedicated reformers.
legalization
This has never been an issue of who's right, we won this intellectual debate forty years ago, it didn't matter then and it has not become any more persuasive now. Two things have caused this; medical marijuana-it strums a compassionate chord, and the people that are reaching end of life are prohibitionists. Prohibitionists are shrinking by 2% a year and reformers are increasing 2.6% per year. Five years ago support for prohibition was 30% ahead, last October that gap had narrowed to 10%. Legalization is on autopilot.,State after state is flaunting the fed's authority. That state thing is a double edged sword. Even though I am a believer in states rights, one over-riding, all encompassing law to make it consistent from coast to coast would, in the long run, be preferable to a ridiculous hodge-podge of local ordinances where it would be different from co to co within the state. I will admit, it is expedient that states and municipalities are flaunting federal authority. Requires the fed to take it seriously. They lose credibility with each state that falls. And what are the states to do if the federals did decide to raid a state licensed facility. What is local law enforcement's obligation in these instances? Surly not to stand against the federals. So the fed has laws it cant enforce due to the sheer number of perp's. Isn't that also known as impotence? Anyway, I think we are on autopilot. Which means we should be thinking about the production, inspection, distribution and consumption of cannabis. The product cycle, start to finish. Where do you place your controls? What is it that needs to be controlled? Who gets to grow it, how much they grow, how to tax it, where can it be smoked? How will it be sold, by the oz or gram or even by the joint? Who gets to sell it and where? All these questions become important when the pie is over $100 billion. I have put together my thoughts on these matters and others concerning legalization that I expect you haven't considered. Give it a look at bigbrowndogpress.com
It is important now in Cali where Oakland decided to bestow licenses on four growers, essentially without limit. Each of these farms takes the place of 780 of the growers I describe in my work.
Alcohol is way more dangerous than cannabis yet is still legal?
Why can cannabis not follow the same structure as drinking alcohol, no smoking and driving, a set age limit to buy marijuana etc.
Why
That was a rhetorical question, right?
"why can cannabis not follow same structure as drinking alcohol"
Yes it should, or if anything be regulated less severely than alcohol, not more, since it is so much safer than alcohol. But it's asking a lot to go from the current situation to one of full equality in a single step. California is being asked to take a big enough step in November, going further than anyone else in the world has done. I would hate to see reformers vote against Prop 19 because of the flaws they see in it. This is politics, no one gets everything they want, especially not the first time around. There will be time later to make improvements, and they won't be as controversial after Californians see how well basic legalization works out.
Write your legislators
Write to your legislators now. Tell them that you think that marijuana should be legal.
We have to end the "WAR ON DRUGS" on a step by step approach. Let's make this the first.
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