Marijuana

Most Americans support marijuana legalization

Research from YouGov shows that a majority of Americans now support legalizing marijuana. 52% of Americans now support legalization, while only 34% oppose it. This is slightly up from 48% support for legalization when the question was last asked in March 2015.  Over half of all adults under the age of 65 support it, but over-65s do tend to oppose (49%) rather than support (39%) legalization.  Politically, Democrats (66%) and independents (51%) want to legalize marijuana but half of Republicans are oppose

Via YouGov | Most Americans support marijuana legalization.

Elizabeth Warren asks CDC to consider legal marijuana as alternative painkiller

We obviously have issues with Senator Warren on many issues. However we are pleased to see her raising this particular issue. Cannabis, marijuana, pot, shouldn’t be illegal. Pot prohibition is a vestige of a less informed time. In the land of the free lighting up a joint should not be illegal.

But one of the reasons weed remains illegal is because it is by far the most used recreational drug in the USA and as such the pursuit of it gives law enforcement something to do. (I mean why waste our time going after murderers and rapists?) Another reason is, I believe anyway, because pot is a very cheap and effective medicine for many ailments. The painkiller industry isn’t too hip on you growing your own (non-physically addictive) medicine in your back yard….

Via Elizabeth Warren asks CDC to consider legal marijuana as alternative painkiller @ AgainstCrony Capitalism.org.

Legalization Approaches

In 2016, recreational marijuana reform may be on the ballot in nearly a dozen states and Sullum is optimistic. With support for recreational marijuana polling at a record-high 58 percent, it’s only a question of how many states legalize in next year’s elections.

Sullum believes that California, the first state to legalize medical marijuana in 1996, is the best bet for passage and the most influential state in play….

Via Recreational Pot Will Be Legal Just About Everywhere Soon @ Reason.com.

Oregon’s Legalization

“Oregon today became the fourth state to legalize recreational use of marijuana. Under the package of laws, anyone 21 and older can carry up to an ounce of cannabis (enough for 30 to 40 generously sized joints) and grow up to four plants in their home. Crowds in downtown Portland began celebrating at midnight, but…

Manipulated and Coerced to His Death Over an $80 Buy

All across America, young people are ensnared in drug investigations, and placed in danger as confidential informants to escape decades-long drug sentences for nothing more small buys. It’s not always a case of mere risk – sometimes they’re killed over these state-coerced deals: Last week North Dakota’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) released a report…

California Voters Scale Back the Drug War, Saving Taxpayers Hundreds of Millions

America’s moving toward a combination of marijuana legalization and Drug War de-escalation, assuring a new, lawful business market and taxpayer savings on prisons: California approved a major shift against mass incarceration on Tuesday in a vote that could lead to the release of thousands of state prisoners. Nonviolent felonies like shoplifting and drug possession will…