WaPo: Support for legalizing marijuana grows rapidly around U.S.

[tridim]

Approval for medical use expands alongside criticism of prohibition

By Karl Vick
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, November 23, 2009

The same day they rejected a gay marriage ballot measure, residents of Maine voted overwhelmingly to allow the sale of medical marijuana over the counter at state-licensed dispensaries.

Later in the month, the American Medical Association reversed a longtime position and urged the federal government to remove marijuana from Schedule One of the Controlled Substances Act, which equates it with heroin.

A few days later, advocates for easing marijuana laws left their biannual strategy conference with plans to press ahead on all fronts -- state law, ballot measures, and court -- in a movement that for the first time in decades appeared to be gaining ground.

"This issue is breaking out in a remarkably rapid way now," said Ethan Nadelmann, executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance. "Public opinion is changing very, very rapidly."

The shift is widely described as generational. A Gallup poll in October found 44 percent of Americans favor full legalization of marijuana -- a rise of 13 points since 2000. Gallup said that if public support continues growing at a rate of 1 to 2 percent per year, "the majority of Americans could favor legalization of the drug in as little as four years."

More: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/22/AR2009112201986.html

[napi21]

1. This culd be a great way o get voters to the polls! Start now

to get referendums on all the ballots in every state, that would be OUR motivator to get voters out...the same as the righties use gay marriage & abortion to get their voters out.

[Echo In Light]

2. I realize the medicinal angle is the safe way to broach this for some...

... although there needs to be broader national debate of legalization and/or (at least) de-criminalization in general instead of just always pussy-footing around w/the medicinal arguments only (not that those aren't essential, too, but you see what I'm getting at)

[Ganja Ninja]

5. I think legalizing Medicinal pot is the wrong way to go.

Everywhere this is going on the cops still harass growers and patients. They challenge the rights to grow and use, They seize peoples stash and plants and make them hire lawyers. And it just seems to me that it's only going to prolong the fight for full legalization.

Isn't it strange how nowadays the best argument for legalizing Pot is we need the money. Lets not half step it when we could go all the way.

[Echo In Light]

6. +1

[tridim]

7. I agree, but fact is medical users need their medicine right now.

Not sometime after the big fight that will take place over the next several years.

I look at the MMJ laws as a temporary and imperfect solution, but it's also working as a catalyst of sorts in MMJ friendly states.

[krabigirl]

9. Yep. Just legalize it, period.

[KansDem]

3. This is the hypocrisy of Sarah's supporters...

In the few videos posted of her "followers" at book-signing events, the number one "issue" or "policy" they quote as to why they're enamored with her is her "dedication" to freedom and liberty. Yet, I'm certain that when asked they would say "no" to:

1) legalizing cannabis.
2) keeping pro-choice viable.
3) legalizing same-sex marriage.
4) expanding Medicare for all Americans,
5) ________ (fill in another blatant Sarah-follower hypocrisy)

I don't know what "freedom" and "liberty" mean to them, but it seems to me if they have to trample all over freedom and liberty for others to achieve "freedom and liberty" for themselves, then so be it...

[Loge23]

4. ...a couple more

-NSA listening in on the public under the quise of national security.
-Drumming any person that follows Islam out of the military.

[intheflow]

10. Drumming any person who follows Islam out of the country.

That's what they really want for Muslims.

[krabigirl]

8. Yep. I think she will run on some new third-party's ticket.

[reggie the dog]

14. Why would they say no to cannabis?

Palin said she smoked but that it was legal under Alaska state law...

[Loge23]

15. clearly not enough! (eom)

[Flaneur]

11. Legalization supported by 44% nationwide, 53% on the West Coast.

According to latest Gallup poll.

It's time to push it over the top in California next year. Either through the legislature or directly by the voters at the polls.

And then who's next? Colorado? Nevada? Alaska?

[tekisui]

12. knr!~

Legalize it!

[jtrockville]

13. Legalize it. Time to recognize it.