Courtesy of Gallup Inc.
This week marked a turning point in the history of cannabis legalization, when Gallup announced a poll showing that for the first time in history, a full majority of Americans support legalizing marijuana: 50% in support and 46% in opposition. That’s an increase in support of 4% since last year and an astounding 14% increase from 5 years ago.
In the Midwest, including Missouri, support soared a full twelve percentage points – from 42% in favor in 2010 to a whopping 54% in 2011.
What’s going on here?
It’s hard to say exactly – there are likely as many factors in making the change as there are reasons to make it. Ending prohibition will improve public safety and provide a new avenue for clean energy. Patients need access to safe and affordable medicine, without having to go through Big Pharma. People need jobs. Farmers need access to the United States’ $400 million +/year agricultural hemp market. And state coffers need tax revenue.
My personal feeling is, people are frankly beginning to finally know the truth when it comes to cannabis – and prohibition. In an age of increasing access to information, it’s no wonder that the veil of propaganda that once held our grandparents’ generation intellectually hostage, is finally being lifted. In fact, we have seen the online community being the most aggressive in pushing our politicians to address the cannabis question. And unfortunately, in typical fashion we have seen the federal government continue to ignore the will of the people by trampling state laws and seizing the property of private citizens and business owners.
Although the politicians may be way behind the citizens on this issue, there is no doubt that come November 2012, the issue of legalization will be far more popular to voters than most of the politicians who will ultimately be placed into office. With strong efforts to legalize happening in California, Colorado, Missouri, Oregon and Washington next year, and with the truth on our side, anti-prohibitionists may finally get the political legitimacy in this country we deserve.
And THAT is something to be excited about this next election year.
The amazing part is that those numbers are only going to rise as people are educated. Its very important we get out there and promote the legitimacy and honest of this effort in a positive manner. I’m ready to do my part. I know a ton of people who are itching to make it to the ballot box and make this happen. This charade thats been going on for so long has to end. I’d love to see Missouri at the helm of legalization.
I support legalizing cannabis in all forms with an age limit. My problem is that if and when it becomes legal it won’t be domestic, giving the Mexican drug cartels millions more in revenue now because companies will be buying it from them. Legalize cannabis, tax it, and then make it to where it cannot be outsourced, just like a lot of alcohol isn’t allowed to be imported to the United States.
The government should pass this law – they could make a heck of a profit! It definitely would cut down on cartel drug dealers ruling our country, and I really think that it would also cut all crime down and help to get the government out of poverty. I have read the regulations if passed, and it all sounds good – although I wonder how much the license would cost.
Donated to help,and good to see the percentages turning.The focus should be on the tax money saved when you release non violent offenders.
Where can this petition be signed. I know alot of people who would like to sign it. Getting volunteers in my town is like putting a big bullseye on your back or I would certanly do it. But with my past i can’t aford the trouble. If this pass’s though my past will disappear.
I just want to express my gratitude for the officials who are taking on this attempt to legalize cannabis for the people’s use. It is a natural plant that has no long term side effects & far more benefits than what people are “used” to buying at the local pharmacy. I am young but my health is far from good. I have fibromyalgia which causes me alot of pain on a daily basis, sometimes even sending me to the hospital in the case of bad flare-ups. This results in a very expensive hospital bill & a week or more of “treatment” with steroids, which have bad side effects. I also suffer from arthritis (caused by multiple injuries & surgeries), chronic “cluster” migraines & insomnia. I spent thousands of dollars seeking some kind of relief from my chronic migraines by going to some of the top neurologists in the country, tried almost every prescription drug out there, resulting in sometimes having side effects worse than the headaches themselves. The result? There is nothing they can do for me. My headaches are so severe they send me to the ER & a simple pain shot that usually takes care of most people’s migraines does nothing for me & I instead have to recieve a “migraine infusion” sometimes called a migraine cocktail to relieve me of the pain. This involves an IV & an infusion of sometimes 5 to 6 different drugs leaving me totally bed ridden for days. The bill for just 1 of these treatments runs around $2000 & I have no insurance! A couple of yrs ago during 1 such migraine attack, my boyfriend (now my fiance) had a lil cannabis & loaded a pipe for me. Desperate for the pain to stop I tried it for the 1st time. IT STOPPED THE MIGRAINE WITHIN JUST MINUTES!!! The best part is there are no bad side effects. Something I dreaded everytime I went in for an infusion. It also helps with my fibromyalgia pain, the joint pain I have in my arthritic joints & helps my insomnia as well. I used to go to the ER sometimes as much as 3 or 4 times a month. Since I started using cannabis I have only been in the ER 3 times in the last 2 yrs!!! I had to go to the ER those few times because we couldn’t find the “medicine” during those attacks. I pray that this passes & I can get my “medicine” more easily & legally than what I am forced to do now. It is far safer then many of the prescription drugs that are on the market today. Everyday we see new ads on TV announcing new lawsuits on the drug companies for the health PROBLEMS caused by the very drugs they were prescribed! I want to commend all those who are pushing to legallize cannabis & offer pain suffers like myself a safer & more natural treatment for our pain!
Thank you so much!
Raven
I just wanted to let you know I FULLY support the legalization of cannabis. I really hope that someday it will be legal for citizens to use. The pros of legalization are far better for us than the very few cons. I could debate this topic forever, but that isn’t the point I want to make. I just want to thank everybody who has contributed to this website and any other pro-legalization support. People need to learn to be ABOVE THE IGNORANCE!
Thanks,
James
I have a question. If Missourians pass this initiative, with Kansas city being a bi-state area what will the implications be? For example, if one were to cross state lines under the influence to Kansas City, MO could one be arrested?
Also, since this will still be against Federal law, will Missouri employers still be able to terminate or deny employment to employees or applicants that test positive? I think that this is an area that we re all particularly interested in. How will employment regulations be affected by the law?