cannabisnews.com: Poll Suggests N.M. Voters Support Drug-Law Reform Poll Suggests N.M. Voters Support Drug-Law Reform Posted by FoM on March 06, 2001 at 13:18:42 PT By Steve Terrell, The New Mexican Source: Santa Fe New Mexican A statewide poll commissioned by an organization backing Gov. Gary Johnson's drug-reform package shows overwhelming support for decriminalizing marijuana and making "medical marijuana" legal for certain patients.The poll - conducted by Research & Polling Inc. of Albuquerque - surveyed 504 registered voters in New Mexico about various drug-related issues being considered in the current session of the state Legislature. Reaction to the poll was predictable. Supporters of bills in Johnson's drug package embraced the results. However, Rep. Ron Godbey, R-Albuquerque, a leading legislative opponent, said the poll was suspect.The poll, conducted in February, was paid for by the Lindesmith Center, a New York-based think tank that has actively worked for the passage of Johnson's drug package. The poll's margin of error is 4.4 percent.Among the most significant findings: · 65 percent said they support a proposal to make possession of less than an ounce of marijuana a civil infraction, punishable by a fine. Only 29 percent opposed the idea.· 78 percent support making marijuana available for medical use by seriously ill or terminal patients in order to reduce pain or nausea. Only 16 percent said they opposed the idea.· 63 percent support a proposal to send people to drug treatment, rather than prison, for first and second offenses of possession of heroin and cocaine. · 65 percent agreed that more emphasis should be placed on treating drug users medically and increasing drug-prevention programs than sending drug users to prison. · 59 percent supported a proposal to spend about $10 million to expand drug-treatment programs.The poll also found that voters are skeptical of the government's "war on drugs." Sixty-one percent said current drug policies have been ineffective in the state. Thirty-three percent said the anti-drug effort has been effective.According to the poll, there is not a tremendous difference between Democrats and Republicans on several key issues. For instance, the marijuana decriminalization proposal was supported by 60 percent of Republicans, 66 percent of Democrats and 75 percent of those who identified themselves as independents.The proposal about treatment instead of jail for first and second offenses of possession of heroin and cocaine was supported by 59 percent of Republicans, 63 percent of Democrats and 73 percent of independents.Source: Santa Fe New Mexican (NM)Author: Steve Terrell, The New Mexican Published: March 6, 2001Copyright: 2001 The Santa Fe New MexicanAddress: 202 E Marcy, Santa Fe, N.M. 87501Fax: (505) 986-3040Contact: letters sfnewmexican.comWebsite: http://www.sfnewmexican.com/Related Articles:Marijuana Bill Clears Two Committeeshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread8744.shtmlCommittee Endorses Medical Marijuana Bill http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread8742.shtmlCannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #4 posted by NiftySplifty on March 06, 2001 at 18:08:27 PT I'd be hesitant to think so... I think the Republocrats will take "the treatment road" in their campaigns, then sit on their asses doing nothing once people vote for them (because the voters get scared that "the other guy" will win, ala the past Presidential election). Then, force treatment (followed by jail) for "addicted" cannabis users. We certainly can't count on either main party to really do anything (although Gov. Johnson's efforts are commendable, and he is a notable exception, to a degree). These parties are about power and control; nothing more. Anyone who thinks they have anyone's interest in mind, aside from their own, needs to wake up.(I'm hesitant to slam Greens as well, because I'm sure there are many here. Although they might want to legalize cannabis, and agree with some Libertarian ideas regarding the WoSD, the idea of strengthening the government at all in other areas ends up, ultimately, trouncing our individual Constitutional rights. The government is supposed to protect us from foreign invasion, not too much else.)For the love of God, don't vote for Republocrats! They're just lying to you! Check out the following link:Nifty... The President lying... [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by jAHn on March 06, 2001 at 17:16:15 PT Watch out! New Mexico may become the next victim to a Voting Scandal!!! This is America, remember, These kinds of things occur All The Time! [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by observer on March 06, 2001 at 15:38:44 PT All In How You Phrase The Question... · 65 percent said they support a proposal to make possession of less than an ounce of marijuana a civil infraction, punishable by a fine. Only 29 percent opposed the idea.Heck, they just didn't phrase the question properly to the people. If they say, "Should we let DOPERS have all the DRUGS they want by LEGALIZING MARIJUANA which would possibly allow OUR CHILDREN to have GREATER ACCESS to NARCOTICS leading to UNPROTECTED SEX and AIDS?" (Like the government push polls, which then assure us that, "People don't want marijuana legalized.") See if you get 65 percent to agree to that one! [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Kevin Hebert on March 06, 2001 at 13:24:25 PT: Now, will they listen to the people? This poll shows, quite clearly, that the citizens of New Mexico are fed up with the drug war. Now it is up to the New Mexico legislature to put the will of the people into practice. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: