UNDERNEWS

Undernews is the online report of the Progressive Review, edited by Sam Smith, who covered Washington during all or part of one quarter of America's presidencies and edited alternative journals since 1964. The Review has been on the web since 1995. See main page for full contents

July 16, 2009

MEDIA, POLITICIANS MILES BEHIND PUBLIC ON POT

CBS News - A new CBS News poll finds that forty-one percent said they think marijuana should be made legal and 52 percent are opposed. That's even more than in a CBS News poll in March when 31 percent said they were in favor of legalization in all cases with another seven percent saying they would favor legalization if marijuana were taxed and the money went to projects

NORML, Feb 2009 - A majority of west coast voters support regulating the sale of marijuana in a manner similar to alcohol, according to national poll of 1,053 likely voters by Zogby International and commissioned by California NORML and Oaksterdam University.

Fifty-eight percent of respondents residing on the west coast agree that cannabis should be "taxed and legally regulated like alcohol and cigarettes." Only thirty-six percent of west coast respondents oppose regulating the sale of marijuana for adults.

Nationally, support for taxing and regulating cannabis stands at 44 percent. Among likely voters on the east coast, 48 percent endorse legalizing marijuana. Respondents' support fell to approximately 37 percent in the southern and central regions of the United States.


posted by TPR | 12:58 AM

3 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Politicians no longer give a damn about what the people want. They only respond to the desires of those who fund their campaigns. Both organized crime and law enforcement have a vested interest in maintaining our absurd drug laws and make huge donations to keep things just as they are.

July 16, 2009 9:22 AM  
Blogger Lars said...

It seems like every movment is resisted by the powers that be. Look at the progress of gay marriage happening now. A state by state approach to legalizing it, with Massachusetts now challenging the legitimacy of the discriminatory federal Defense of Marriage Act. Judging by the polling numbers, recent decriminalization in some states, and the success of medical marijuana initiatives it is only a matter of time.

July 16, 2009 9:36 AM  
Anonymous Mairead said...

Claiming that Big Media and politicians are "behind" where we are is an implicit claim that they're willing to do what's right, but they're just slow.

I would dispute that.

Their deficiencies are in ethics, not intelligence. They're intentionally denying us whatever they can because it increases their power, often increases their wealth, and helps keep us divided.

Al Lewis, who was a labor organiser when not playing "Grandpa Munster", gave an interview ten years ago or so in which he said (I'm paraphrasing, probably) "the first step is for us to agree that the elites shouldn't have the power they have".

Until we band together - REALLY band together - we're going to continue to stay screwed to the floor.

July 17, 2009 9:47 AM  

Post a Comment

<< Home