Last October, a Gallup Poll reported for the first time that a significant majority (a majority exceeding the margin of error) of Americans thought marijuana should be legalized. Now a second poll has verified that. It is the CNN / Opinion Research Poll (taken between January 3rd and 5th of this new year by surveying a random nationwide sample of 1,010 adults, with a margin of error of 3 points).The chart above shows, just like with the Gallup Poll, this is the first time this poll has shown a significant majority of Americans favoring the legalization of the recreational use of marijuana. This could be because there have now been two states that have legalized the sale, possession, and use of marijuana (Colorado and Washington). Or maybe people are finally beginning to realize that marijuana is not the dangerous drug the government has made it out to be for decades, or they finally realize that the taxes that can be gathered from the legal sale of marijuana would be a boon for both states and the federal government.
Whatever the reason, it is becoming apparent that attitudes are shifting quickly about marijuana in the United States. Currently 55% would support legalizing the recreational use of marijuana, and 54% would support legalizing the sale of marijuana to adults. An even larger percentage (64%) now says that using marijuana is not morally wrong (that's 29 points higher than those who say it is).
In addition, majorities also now believe marijuana is not a dangerous drug -- with 56% saying it is not physically harmful, and 54% saying it is not psychologically harmful.
With these kind of numbers, I think it won't be very long before more states join Colorado and Washington in legalizing the gentle herb. And two states may do so this year. Alaskans already have enough signatures to get the question on an August ballot -- and supporters are currently gathering names in California to get the issue on the November ballot.
