Posted on 04/29/2014 3:56:09 PM PDT by PoloSec
If Colorado is any indication, marijuana legalization might be a winning issue — but may pose a problem for Republicans. A new poll released by Quinnipiac University shows that adults there agree with the recent decision to make weed legal in that state.
Colorado voters said that they support legalization by a margin of 54 to 43 percent. However, not every group is down with the doobie: 63 percent of Republicans disapprove of marijuana legalization, along with 62 percent of voters older than sixty five.
If those trends hold true elsewhere in the country, it means that ending marijuana prohibition might be a solid strategy for political candidates — but most Republican voters are still not on board. It seems that there is a split between traditional conservatives, and more libertarian-leaning types who want government to leave weed alone.
“Colorado voters are generally good to go on grass, across the spectrum, from personal freedom to its taxpayer benefits to its positive impact on the criminal justice system,” said a spokesperson from Quinnipiac University. Some of the most-cited benefits include a decrease in government spending for enforcing marijuana laws.
According to the most recent poll, around half of voters say they’ve tried marijuana. The survey also shows that a majority of people in Colorado do not believe that legal pot has made driving more dangerous. Interestingly, while many voters are fine with smoking, most indicated that they are less likely to support a political candidate who is a marijuana user themselves.
Amendment 64, which legalized marijuana for adults in Colorado, was approved in 2012.
Don't get defensive. I am not claiming anything. I am just posting some information on the impact of smoking weed on the respiratory system. There are plenty of data out there. My point was that smoking tobacco is supposed to be harmful to one's health, but smoking weed doesn't seem to be held to the same standard. In fact, for young people it is the cool thing to do. Hell, the guy in the WH was part of the Choom Gang and even used cocaine.
Again, not defending the use of the product considering its legality; I just wanted to understand from where you were arguing on the matter, as I’m unclear after having actually read the passage you posted.
From what I have read, the jury is still out on the link between cancer and marijuana. Obviously, it does cause respiratory problems. You are ingesting chemicals into your lungs that are not healthful. More studies need to be done if legalization is the way forward. There are also studies on the impact on the brain.
Sounds like Natural Selection to me.
Who cares? Think about it. Do stoners vote? I doubt it. So, its very possible that making marijuna legal will benefit Repubs.
Again, thank you for the clarification.
I have never smoked or used marijuana. At 71, it is too late to start.
Actually they do vote as the referendum in Colorado proved. Democrats are now organizing in other states to get the legalization of marijuana on the ballot in time for the midterms. They view it as a way to turn out the youth vote, which could help their candidates.
Pathetic little potheads. They make the pursuit of a fleeting feeling more important than their own intelligence and freedom.
Interesting. Thanks
So what would you do about marijuana laws?
Keep them as is?
Would you propose any change whatsoever?
First, don’t go libertarian on drugs. “We favor the repeal of all laws creating “crimes” without victims, such as the use of drugs for medicinal or recreational purposes.”
Libertarianism is where you come from isn’t it? So any discussion of drugs with a libertarian means all and any drugs, and the marketing of them.
I'm not able to discern your position from that comment.
I know you have immense dislike for libertarians, but we don't know if you would alter any existing drug laws, and how.
I understand your position in general. I often think "there ought to be a law!", and sometimes think "if I were in charge...".
But then I remember all law is ultimately enforced through the barrel of a gun...and trim things down to what I think is REALLY important.
Thousands of years of use by Hindus and Arabs, and thousands of years of Western Civilization refusing to adopt Cannabis as an intoxicant, says a lot.
Some issues are much bigger than they way they are being treated by the left and libertarians, the end of marriage is one of those.
Perhaps, simply, overturn the Washington and Colorado laws legalizing?
It would make more sense for you to just get to making your point, this isn’t a chat room.
Many people believe marijuana is bad and should be restricted in some form, or completely illegal in absolute terms.
But few are willing to say what they think the rules ought to be over the fellow citizens, and fewer still would be willing to enforce such views themselves.
Especially within the context of Constitutional parameters.
When dealing with libertarians, the point at the end is always the same, and on so many issues, the left was there first.
What point is that?
The one that says there is no Constitutional basis for Federal drug law outside of borders?
The one that says States have the Constitutional authority to decide these things for themselves?
Or where the statist do-gooders always end up: Federal restriction on those legitimately harmful things they think should be banned...in spite of the Constitution?
LOL, from Washington and Colorado, suddenly to federal.
When dealing with libertarians, the point at the end is always the same, and on so many issues, the left was there first.
I agree any State should be able to institute any law on drugs they choose within their own lawmaking process that does not interfere with the Constitution or the legitimate rights of the other states.
If a state were to institute a law to make the use, possession or sale of marijuana punishable by death, I would support their authority to do so.
As I point out about libertarians, they support many of the same things as the regular left, and they support them, and oppose conservatism, at all levels of government.
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