PUBLIC OPINION > Just Legalize Marijuana, Already!
SodaHead News
2012/04/20 20:00:00
It's 420, and you know what that means! If you don't, April 20 is the holy day of the stoner subculture, a date decided somewhat arbitrarily by the stoner lifestyle, which dictates that 4:20 is the ideal time to smoke. Now, we can't really ask who smokes -- it's still illegal, and some people don't want to give away that much info on the very public interwebs. So we asked the next-best question: Should it be legal?
Wait... what were we talking about? Oh, right. Marijuana. Most respondents are for it -- or at least for legalizing it. There's a difference. One commenter wrote, "I have no interest in smoking marijuana but it seems like common sense that it should be legal if alcohol is." Where were all those voters when it went on the ballot in California? Probably the same couch they're on today. Don't worry, you'll get 'em next time.
Conservative Conflict
The only demographic with a formidable sample size that voted against the legalization of marijuana was conservatives. They were 21% less supportive than Christians and 45% less likely than libertarians. The most frequent arguments against the legalization of marijuana were that it's a gateway drug and it's already illegal.
Males Lead the Charge
Gender didn't create much of a gap, but it was enough to show that males are more likely to support the legalization of marijuana. Sad news for stoner guys. Their dating options are perhaps a little more limited than those of stoner gals. Then again, you could quit whenever you want to. Right?
Smokers Support Smokers
When the legalization of pot is being discussed, it's often compared to alcohol and cigarettes. Each substance has its pros and cons, and marijuana's cons don't seem to be as detrimental as the other two. And those things are legal! Even drinkers and smokers can see that.
If you'd like to vote on this question, dig deeper into the demographics, or engage in existing discussion about the topic, visit our poll about legalizing marijuana. We'd love to hear from you!
Top Opinion
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Stan Weinstein 2012/04/20 20:52:54
+20Legalization is long overdue. Law officers would not have to spend countless hours looking for marijuana fields while risking their lives. States would bring in millions of dollars in tax revenue. Thousands of police officers would be freed up so they could have more time scraping up the bodies of those killed by drunk drivers drinking the legal alcohol.
what were we talking about?
No one has a drug pusher who brings them coffee or cigarettes.
STRONGLY AGAINST RECREATIONAL DRUG USE.
In contrast, I am entirely for legalizing pot due to it's unrivaled medical applications. Minimal to no side effects, compared to pharmaceuticals. For cancer and Aids suffers, it does mean the difference between life and death.
My doctor tells me that in this day and age 1:3 will get cancer. Some will get three different types of cancer in a lifetime. Do the research.
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It makes me feel depressed the same as alcohol.
I'm going to compare marijuana to sex, since the argument that it's less harmful than alcohol is really abhorrent to some folks.
MARIJUANA: May have medical or even religious necessity, but for some people is used primarly for recreation and enjoyment. Has some medical benefits and also some medical downfalls. When used properly by consenting and informed adults can be a great way to socialize, engage in relaxation, or even spiritual wellbeing. When used improperly can be medically or emotionally devastating, or can even be involved in crimes which may hurt other people.
SEX: May have medical or even religious necessity, but for some people is used primarly for recreation and enjoyment. Has some medical benefits and also some medical downfalls. When used properly by consenting and informed adults can be a great way to socialize, engage in relaxation, or even spiritual wellbeing. When used improperly can be medically or emotionally devastating, or can even be involved in crimes which may hurt other people.
Both of these things can be used in ways that are great by those who ha...
I'm going to compare marijuana to sex, since the argument that it's less harmful than alcohol is really abhorrent to some folks.
MARIJUANA: May have medical or even religious necessity, but for some people is used primarly for recreation and enjoyment. Has some medical benefits and also some medical downfalls. When used properly by consenting and informed adults can be a great way to socialize, engage in relaxation, or even spiritual wellbeing. When used improperly can be medically or emotionally devastating, or can even be involved in crimes which may hurt other people.
SEX: May have medical or even religious necessity, but for some people is used primarly for recreation and enjoyment. Has some medical benefits and also some medical downfalls. When used properly by consenting and informed adults can be a great way to socialize, engage in relaxation, or even spiritual wellbeing. When used improperly can be medically or emotionally devastating, or can even be involved in crimes which may hurt other people.
Both of these things can be used in ways that are great by those who have the self control to use them properly. Both of these things can be used in ways that are detrimental to both the individuals and society. One is legal, the other isn't. If you argue that marijuana is illegal because it can be linked to crimes, medical problems, societal problems, decreased morality, etc....shouldn't sex be illegal because it can be linked to crimes, medical problems, societal problems, decreased morality, etc? Shouldn't EVERYTHING be illegal because it can be linked to some type of crime or perversion? Punishments and prohibitive laws are created to punish the excessivity or perversion of freedoms and pleasures, not the pleasures themselves, as in the case of alcohol and cigarettes (sorry, but I mean, it fits).
Alcohol, when used by consenting and responsible adults in moderation is fine, and can even be healthy according to some studies. When used irresponsibly and improperly can lead to crime, decreased morality, medical problems etc. Alcohol is legal because responsible adults who wish to use it in the right way should be allowed to do so without worrying about being denied their right to imbibe responsibly because some people just can't handle themselves. Why not the same with marijuana?
I notice that only those people who classify themselves as Conservatives don't want marijuana legalized, if the conservatives represent like 30% at best and and 60% don't want it, how does 18% of the public get it's way?
Because marijuana was made illegal by eleven men behind closed doors seventy five years ago, and they are all dead.
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Thomas Jefferson said "the greatest tyranny of all is the rule of the dead over the living"
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