Vancouver, Canada–(ENEWSPF)–June 15, 2012. Two-thirds of US adults believe that the drug war is failing, and a majority of respondents say that marijuana ought to be legalized, according a recent Angus Reid Public opinion poll of 1,017 Americans.
According to the poll, only 10 percent of respondents believe that the so-called ‘War on Drugs’ has been successful, while 66 percent deem it a “failure.” Pollsters also found that 52 percent of Americans support the legalization of marijuana (versus 44 percent opposed).
Support for marijuana legalization was highest among men (60 percent), self-identified political Independents (57 percent), and Democrats (54 percent). Women (45 percent), respondents over the age of 55 (48 percent) and self-identified Republicans (43 percent) were less supportive of legalization.
The poll’s margin of error is +/- 3.1%
It is the fourth consecutive survey conducted by Angus Reid to report majority support among Americans for legalizing marijuana.
A separate statewide poll of likely Colorado voters published on Monday by Rasmussen Reports found that 61 percent of likely state voters favor legalizing and regulating marijuana like alcohol. Only 27 percent of respondents opposed the idea.
The poll result is a positive sign for proponents of Amendment 64 – a statewide ballot initiative that seeks to eliminate civil and criminal penalties for the limited possession and cultivation of cannabis by those age 21 or older. The measure also seeks to establish regulations governing the commercial production and distribution of marijuana by licensed retailers. Colorado voters will decide on the measure in November.
Amendment 64 is backed by a broad coalition of drug law reform organizations, including NORML, the American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado, SAFER, Sensible Colorado, Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP), Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP), the Drug Policy Alliance, and the Marijuana Policy Project.
For more information, please contact Paul Armentano, NORML Deputy Director, at: [email protected] or visit: http://www.regulatemarijuana.org.
Source: http://norml.org
