Will Marijuana Ever Be Legal In The U.S.? [POLL]
New Gallup poll shows support is its highest.
Yesterday, Gallup announced that for the first time in history, fully half of Americans polled believe that marijuana should be made legal in the United States.
Four decades ago, only one in seven Americans supported legalization.
Not surprisingly, strong support for legalization exists among liberals (69 percent), adults under 30 (62 percent), Democrats (57 percent) and independents (57 percent). Interestingly, however, more than a third of Republicans and conservatives support legalization as well.
Since 2009, Massachusetts marijuana laws have been among the most lenient in
the nation.
Here in the Commonwealth, possession of less than one ounce of marijuana is only a "civil offense," which is like a traffic ticket, subjecting the offender to a $100 fine and forfeiture of the drug. If the offender is under 18 years of age, he or she is required to take a drug awareness program.
Changes in marijuana laws have impacted the ability of law enforcement officers to search vehicles whose occupants are suspected to be in possession of the drug.
Back in the day, if a police officer smelled marijuana smoke coming from a detained vehicle, the officer usually would be considered to have probable cause to order the driver from the vehicle in order to conduct a search of its contents. If marijuana, other drugs or even illegal weapons, for example, were then discovered, the vehicle occupants could face other criminal charges.
To counteract this, Norton recently voted to increase the fine hike to $300 in the annual Fall Town Meeting.
In a case decided last April, however, the state's highest court made clear that police officers no longer could justify a search of a vehicle merely because they smelled marijuana.
In Cruz v. Commonwealth, police officers smelled smoke coming from a parked car whose occupants appeared to be nervous once they were spotted. After speaking with the occupants, the police ordered the occupants from the vehicle and after a search, discovered crack cocaine. A trial judge later determined, however, that the search of the vehicle was improper because the police had no evidence of illegal activity and thus no probable cause to conduct the search. Even though marijuana use and possession is not, technically, legal in this state, its use is not a "criminal offense" and, therefore, police in such circumstances have no basis (absent other evidence) to believe that criminal activity is taking place. Absent evidence of criminal activity, a warrantless search of the vehicle was improper.
On appeal, the Supreme Judicial Court upheld the trial court's decision.
Opponents of legalization remain vocal. They contend, among other things, that marijuana use often leads to the abuse of harder, more dangerous drugs, and that marijuana use itself carries significant risks to persons and society. By making marijuana legal, they also contend, usage very likely will increase.
Recently, PBS debuted the new Ken Burns documentary, "Prohibition." The film tells the story of the dozen or so years when Americans attempted to outlaw the sale of alcohol. The ban was, of course, a colossal failure and eventually, alcohol laws were greatly liberalized in almost every corner of the nation.
Will the prohibition against the sale of marijuana ever be lifted? It's hard to say. But "If the trend continues," Gallup says, "pressure may build to bring the nation's laws into compliance with the people's wishes."
Fightforfreedom
9:55 pm on Monday, March 5, 2012
I personally belive Marijuana should be legal. This plant helps me day to day. I am just a family man in blue collar America.As it is for everyone I know its tough, but as someone who uses this to medicate for chronic pain an so that I can continue to spend time WITH my family ill do it. I know most time that is what most STONERS say but I urge a thought. I smoke a bowl to , two bowls a day an that helps the pain in my leg from my horribel injury. I damaged severly my right leg an the pain plegues me to the point of limp without medication. I ask is that to much to ask in my pursuit for happiness as an American citizen. I work six days a week pay my taxes an follow the guidlines of the lands promised to me by my forfathers. I just simply think if over 50% percent of U.S is up for sometype of goverment observed medical help that it should be given a fair shake an compromised by the people an goverment. With all the crazy things in this world no one knows who to trust but, I trust relief an results. If the people band together an belive what they say it will change. I will leave with a ghandi qoute.. First they ignore you, then they laugh at you ,then they fight you, then you win, ghandi.
Trot Nixon
5:51 am on Tuesday, March 6, 2012
The only reason why the government won't legalize it is because of the powerful pharmacuidical lobby. Big Pharma would lose a ton of money if pot was legal and they will do anything to stop that from happening. Theres no way you can tell me that pot is more dangerous than booze. At least here in Mass they were smart and decriminalized it but I am not holding out hope anytime soon for a nationwide legalization.
Bob Havey
2:55 pm on Tuesday, March 6, 2012
It''s all about the money. It's ALWAYS about the money!
As soon as the government is able to create a viable tax revenue stream; marijuana will be available at your local pharmacy - or liquor store - or both.
Luqman Russell
11:51 am on Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Weed is not only harmless, the production of hemp and medicine could bring many jobs. I am pro weed, and a stoner.
shane miller
10:45 pm on Thursday, July 5, 2012
I THINK IT SHOULD BE LEGAL IT I BELIEVE IT WILL HELP US GET OUT OF DEBT, ALOT FASTER IN LOWER CRIME RATES ITS A GOOD DECISION TO MAKE IT LEGAL IN US GIVE IT A CHANCE
shane miller
10:53 pm on Thursday, July 5, 2012
i believe they should sell it in stores like where you would buy ciggs. but make it 21 like alcohol sense it a new law in sell it in different prices the money we would make of that would increasingly help our econony we would bring in alot of money to help us get out of debt in also lower crimes rates. so it would be great for weed to be legal in kentucky.
A N G
8:38 pm on Wednesday, December 12, 2012
hell no, make it legal at 18 like cigs- that would make more sense.
Kevo Sanies
3:35 pm on Friday, July 13, 2012
I agreed that it should be legal. Nothing bad came from smoking weed. The idea of taxing it and selling it in stores like cigs or alcohol is a good idea, althought many people can grow it in their own homes. If people grow it ad sell it in the street there will be no tax for the government. That's one problem with taxing it. Althought I am completely for legalization, it's going to be very hard to get it legalized.
cutipie4545
11:27 pm on Saturday, August 4, 2012
Weed should be legalized. Period.
corey johnson
12:31 am on Tuesday, August 7, 2012
It's stupid that alcohol and cigs are legal but weed isn't , government is messed up all I.can say
danielle hunnell
2:30 pm on Monday, August 13, 2012
Legalization for (weed) is a great idea i use to smoke and now i dont and havent for 3 years if it was addictive thin why was it so easy for me to quit. I dont understand why (weed) is illegal any way their are probly a billion people in this world that smokes it. Think of it like this you sell $25 dollers worth of weed on a daly bases and multuply that by a year thin times it by the production and how many people buy it a day. I bet u have more mone than any job can offer u in your whole like. And come to think of it you would probley sell more (weed) than cigeretts any day and if not you wold double your profit and u and also tax it like $23.99 witch after taz is already $25 dollers for a bag and ur not just selling $25 doller bag probley $50.00s and $100.00. Thats serious cash and america could realy use some now jobs.
Frida
1:31 pm on Thursday, August 16, 2012
Danielle - Amazing! You spelled legalization correctly! Too bad it was all downhill from there!
Nadia
4:53 am on Wednesday, September 5, 2012
The government is missing out the government would have there interest wich it is $.
Nate Stays Killen Em
11:43 am on Monday, September 17, 2012
It will never be fully legal cuz the goverment wouldn't be able to control it like they try to do now and more kids would smoke it just like they smoke cigarettes with no id and being of age also it would stop most search warrents for police cuz they wouldn't be able to pull u out of a car cuz they smell it but it would be good cuz hemp is used for many things medical and rope and imagine a tshirt made of hemp sweet
treeves
3:12 pm on Friday, October 12, 2012
As a former smoker i see how not only myself but others react when they smoke and ive smoked with all kinds of people. Of all those people that i have smoked with i have necver seen any of them act out agresievlly or negativelly in any way
james king
3:19 pm on Tuesday, October 30, 2012
I defineitly think weed should be legal. It would cut down on crime significantly and give the cops more time to focus on real criminals. Opponents of legalization say it woukd make it easier for kids and teens to get there hands on,but when I was in high school 5 years ago, I could find pot way easier than alcohol.