Majority Of Americans Want to Experiment With Pot Legalization 10/22/13 A majority of Americans support legalizing marijuana, a first in more than 40 years of Gallup polling the question. \nIn 1969, when President Richard Nixon first directed significant federal resources toward interdicting marijuana smugglers at the U.S.-Mexico border, only 12% of Americans supported legalization. \nAccording to Gallup, 58% of Americans now support legalization, up more than 10% in just the last four years. Two states, Washington and Colorado, legalized recreational marijuana use following statewide referendums in 2012. Perhaps sensing the size of the shift in public opinion, the Obama administration announced in August it would allow such states to continue their experiment with legalization-marijuana is still illegal under federal law-as long as they follow certain guidelines. The reversal in public opinion is so rapid, it's comparable to perhaps one other issue: same-sex marriage. Here's Gallup's chart showing polling on same-sex marriage throughout the years: \t\tCourtesy of GallupAnd here's their chart on marijuana legalization: \t\tCourtesy of GallupWhat accounts for the shift? Though sexual orientation and recreational marijuana use aren't comparable, it's possible that Americans' increased willingness to be public about recreational marijuana use has eroded the once widely held stigma associated with smoking weed. It's also possible that Americans are more aware of the uneven racial impact of the war on drugs, which disproportionately targets minorities despite the fact that levels of drug use are similar across ethnicities. http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/majority-americans-want-experiment
It will send a strong message if it is delivered to them at their next political rally,,go loud and go proud,,it is time to force politicians into making a public stance on marijuana a reform. Since our majority is so small on legalization the most effective question I can think to ask any sitting legislator is on medical marijuana because in that we have over 80% support for marijuana use under a doctors care and therefore such a large majority that it will require a response instead of shrug. Mr/Ms Candidate,with over 80% of the voters supporting mmj use under a doctor's care have you sponsored or cosponsored a bill to have marijuana removed from the CSA. I love this question because it doesn't mention legalization but forces the candidate to either support the voters wishes or explain why he doesn't care what voters support.and asked often enough his opponent in the race is clued to an issue that could be a game changer.