Record-High 50% of Americans Favor Legalizing Marijuana Use - Polidicks

[url=http://www.gallup.com/poll/150149/Record-High-Americans-Favor-Legalizing-Marijuana.aspx]Source.[/url] [release] 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. [img]http://sas-origin.onstreammedia.com/origin/gallupinc/GallupSpaces/Production/Cms/POLL/f9nyco05-um-ww_mfbuo9q.gif[/img] When Gallup first asked about legalizing marijuana, in 1969, 12% of Americans favored it, while 84% were opposed. Support remained in the mid-20s in Gallup measures from the late 1970s to the mid-1990s, but has crept up since, passing 30% in 2000 and 40% in 2009 before reaching the 50% level in this year's Oct. 6-9 annual Crime survey. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, "Marijuana is the most commonly abused illicit drug in the United States." The National Survey on Drug Use and Health in 2009 found that "16.7 million Americans aged 12 or older used marijuana at least once in the month prior to being surveyed, an increase over the rates reported in all years between 2002 and 2008." The advocacy group National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws claims that marijuana is the third-most-popular recreational drug in America, behind only alcohol and tobacco. Some states have decriminalized marijuana's use, some have made it legal for medicinal use, and some officials, including former U.S. Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders, have called for legalizing its use. A Gallup survey last year found that 70% favored making it legal for doctors to prescribe marijuana in order to reduce pain and suffering. Americans have consistently been more likely to favor the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes than to favor its legalization generally. Support for legalizing marijuana is directly and inversely proportional to age, ranging from 62% approval among those 18 to 29 down to 31% among those 65 and older. Liberals are twice as likely as conservatives to favor legalizing marijuana. And Democrats and independents are more likely to be in favor than are Republicans. More men than women support legalizing the drug. Those in the West and Midwest are more likely to favor it than those in the South. [img]http://sas-origin.onstreammedia.com/origin/gallupinc/GallupSpaces/Production/Cms/POLL/dq8bjss84e2ub3uwvjgeaa.gif[/img] Support for legalizing marijuana has been increasing over the past several years, rising to 50% today -- the highest on record. If this current trend on legalizing marijuana continues, pressure may build to bring the nation's laws into compliance with the people's wishes.[/release] Hot off the presses.

As nice as this is, I don't see the States legalizing pot anytime in the near future. Obama's pretty much flat out ignored what he said during his campaigning about it so it will probably always be illegal on a Federal level while he's in office. Which sucks.

I am an occasional smoker and I don't think it's a good idea personally.

[QUOTE=HawkeyeTy;32840271]As nice as this is, I don't see the States legalizing pot anytime in the near future. Obama's pretty much flat out ignored what he said during his campaigning about it so it will probably always be illegal on a Federal level while he's in office. Which sucks.[/QUOTE] And he'll probably be in office for another four at this rate.

Sooner or later those younger people will be in office. Be nice if it came sooner, but it's not a lost cause.

Seeing how the younger you get the more in favour it is to be legalised, all we have to do is kill off all the old people. *pumps shotgun*

Heh heh. "High". Hey Beavis, he said "high". And he's talking about drugs. Heh heh heh heh heh. "Heh" kind of sounds like "high" too, doesn't it. Heh heh heh heh heh heh heh. But[del]thead[/del] in all seriousness, [I]good.[/I]

Is weed like a big thing in the US? From what I see in the UK people look down on it as being really childish and irresponsible, just like with smoking

[QUOTE=En-Guage V2;32840278]I am an occasional smoker and I don't think it's a good idea personally.[/QUOTE] maybe you'll change your mind when/if that occasional smoke gets you a fine/community service or some bullshit like that

or maybe I'm smart enough to not let that happen [editline]18th October 2011[/editline] I don't leave my house carrying drugs around, or walking around with a lighter pipe and a baggie in my pocket stoned as fuck

[QUOTE=Ihazard;32840446]Is weed like a big thing in the US? From what I see in the UK people look down on it as being really childish and irresponsible, just like with smoking[/QUOTE] Considering it actually has medical benefits, which normal smoking doesn't. Yeah it's a reasonably big deal.

[QUOTE=Ihazard;32840446]Is weed like a big thing in the US? From what I see in the UK people look down on it as being really childish and irresponsible, just like with smoking[/QUOTE] kinda. It's really big in California in particular

[QUOTE=Fables;32840325]And he'll probably be in office for another four at this rate.[/QUOTE] Better than Herman Cain or Mitt Romney.

[QUOTE=Miskav;32840473]Considering it actually has medical benefits, which normal smoking doesn't. Yeah it's a reasonably big deal.[/QUOTE] I meant for recreational use, not medicinal

[QUOTE=Ihazard;32840604]I meant for recreational use, not medicinal[/QUOTE] i'm pretty sure weed is a big thing everywhere, but yes, generally old people look down on it as childish and irresponsible.

[QUOTE=Ihazard;32840604]I meant for recreational use, not medicinal[/QUOTE] its not huge outspoken wise, yeah 'stoners' exist, but mostly theres a huge silent majority for it too.

[QUOTE=En-Guage V2;32840278]I am an occasional smoker and I don't think it's a good idea personally.[/QUOTE] Because then you won't be cool and edgy for smoking something illegal?

I wonder why the no-percentage slightly rose after 2001. "Marijuana did 9/11!"

[QUOTE=Lachz0r;32840722]i'm pretty sure weed is a big thing everywhere, but yes, generally old people look down on it as childish and irresponsible.[/QUOTE] I dunno man I know heaps of older people who blaze, I've even blazed with some of them. Quite a few of my friends parents do it, even my dad does it :v: [editline]18th October 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=Yzooo;32840740]Because then you won't be cool and edgy for smoking something illegal?[/QUOTE] He's not like that man, he does it cause he enjoys it.

[QUOTE=Stormcharger;32840892]I dunno man I know heaps of older people who blaze, I've even blazed with some of them. Quite a few of my friends parents do it, even my dad does it :v: [/QUOTE] yeah same, it's different here really, but i was replying to him in terms of how it is in USA. it's weird that the legalise marijuana movement isn't gaining this much steam here in NZ.

Yea it is weird, at least the police are pretty chilled about it over here. And you get a warning the first time and then a diversion afterwards. You can even get more than one diversion as well :v:

[QUOTE=Megafanx13;32840583]Better than Herman Cain or Mitt Romney.[/QUOTE] Yes, but I wish there was someone better running.

[QUOTE=Lachz0r;32840922]yeah same, it's different here really, but i was replying to him in terms of how it is in USA. it's weird that the legalise marijuana movement isn't gaining this much steam here in NZ.[/QUOTE] that's because the movement is being kept alive by a committed few, you would personally have to start something there are like six people that come to every norml meeting for the florida chapter, and we're spearheading issue of legalization in my state

It's taken 50 years to come close to legalizing marijuana? What the FUCK is wrong with our planet?

[QUOTE=Sickle;32841289]It's taken 50 years to come close to legalizing marijuana? What the FUCK is wrong with our planet?[/QUOTE] Drug Abuse = Something wrong with our planet.

[QUOTE=Sickle;32841289]It's taken 50 years to come close to legalizing marijuana? What the FUCK is wrong with our planet?[/QUOTE] Are you seriously that surprised?

Oh shit what a surprise! This is what happens when people know the [b]truth[/b]

It shouldn't be a criminal offence in the first place.

[QUOTE=lukepker;32841492]It shouldn't be a criminal offence in the first place.[/QUOTE] People can still abuse it, doesn't matter if you do it in moderation, some people might do it all day non-stop.

[QUOTE=flyschy;32840262][img]http://sas-origin.onstreammedia.com/origin/gallupinc/GallupSpaces/Production/Cms/POLL/f9nyco05-um-ww_mfbuo9q.gif[/img][/QUOTE] It kind of looks like a joint. IT'S A SIGN.