cannabisnews.com: Poll Shows Voters Split on Legalizing Marijuana

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  Poll Shows Voters Split on Legalizing Marijuana

Posted by CN Staff on January 04, 2012 at 16:19:16 PT
By Jonathan Martin 
Source: Seattle Times  

Washington -- A new statewide poll shows voters evenly divided on the question of legalizing marijuana as the state Legislature takes up the question next week. The Elway Research poll of 411 randomly selected voters found 48 percent in favor and 45 percent opposed to legalization, which is likely headed to the November 2012 ballot in the form of Initiative 502. The margin of error is 5 percentage points. The initiative, run by a campaign called New Approach Washington, heads to the Legislature first, but will be on the presidential ballot unless lawmakers approve it.
The support softened from an Elway poll in July, when 54 percent, asked a more general question about marijuana legalization, expressed support. Pollster Stuart Elway said that downward trend should concern initiative sponsors. Conventional wisdom says an initiative should start with support in the mid-60s because undecided voters usually vote against ballot measures. "If you're a supporter, it's going the wrong way," he said. The initiative would legalize and tax one-ounce sales of marijuana to people 21 and over, and authorize privately-owned, state-licensed marijuana retail stores and grow operations. Washington voters in 1998 allowed medical marijuana for authorized patients, but they haven't had a chance to vote on full legalization. Elway said the campaign needs to sway women voters, who were far less likely to support legalization (52% men, 43% women), and to ensure young voters (69% of voters under 35 support) turn out to vote. Alison Holcomb, campaign director for New Approach, noted the Elway poll question was broadly worded, without mentioning provisions in I-502 -- including an estimated $215 million in marijuana tax revenue earmarked for health and drug-abuse prevention programs -- that are popular with voters. "Our research over the years have shown us that voters really care about what the details are," she said. New Approach, using paid signature gatherers, turned in more than 341,000 signatures to the Washington Secretary of State in late December. The prime opposition thus far has been medical-marijuana patients, who say I-502's driving-under-the-influence provisions would inhibit their ability to work and live while using legally authorized medicine. Source: Seattle Times (WA)Author: Jonathan MartinPublished: January 4, 2012Copyright: 2012 The Seattle Times CompanyContact: opinion seatimes.comWebsite: http://www.seattletimes.com/URL: http://drugsense.org/url/imNRIei3CannabisNews -- Cannabis Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/cannabis.shtml 

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Comment #7 posted by Paint with light on January 05, 2012 at 10:56:29 PT
Afterburner #6
No special connection to Michigan, I just noticed they had a lot of activists listed compared to some of the other states.I did used to an art show in Rochester Hills called Art and Apples.Was Amorphia the same group that sold rolling papers and donated some of the proceeds to the cause?Legal like alcohol.
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Comment #6 posted by afterburner on January 05, 2012 at 08:46:07 PT
Paint with light #5 
Fantastic link: I'm bookmarking it for future reference.Do you have a special connection to Michigan?Since you brought it up, I was a member of a group called Amorphia (Cannabis Legalization Activists) back in the 1970's. Does anyone else remember that group or was a member?
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Comment #5 posted by Paint with light on January 04, 2012 at 20:24:26 PT

Losses
We lost Jack last year and Gatewood this year.Both were tireless warriors for our cause.I am surprised at how many groups and organizations there are that are battling these insane laws against cannabis.Since I have been in the link providing mode, here is another.http://freedomactivist.net/cannabis.htmlIf you scroll way down to cannabis news you will find a link to.....cannabisnews.com.....as you should.Check out the link to the list of activists by state. Michigan should be proud.There has to be a way to coordinate all these individual efforts and activists to accomplish more....quicker.Legal like alcohol. 
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #4 posted by FoM on January 04, 2012 at 17:25:54 PT

Judge Dismisses Medical Marijuana Suit by Arizona
By Mary K. Reinhart January 4, 2012 A federal judge dismissed Arizona's medical-marijuana lawsuit Wednesday, saying the state couldn't show workers were at risk of prosecution for following the voter-approved state law. 
U.S. District Court Judge Susan Bolton's ruling removes the obstacle that Gov. Jan Brewer and state health officials said prevented the state from issuing permits for medical-pot dispensaries. 
Brewer spokesman Matthew Benson said the governor would consult with Attorney General Tom Horne before deciding whether to appeal.URL: http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2012/01/04/20120104judge-dismisses-medical-marijuana-suit-by-arizona.html
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Comment #3 posted by FoM on January 04, 2012 at 17:21:19 PT

The GCW
Thank you. Gatewood Galbraith was a very colorful human being. He will be missed by many.May he R.I.P.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #2 posted by The GCW on January 04, 2012 at 17:18:45 PT

Gatewood,
Pot Activist and 5-Time Governor Candidate Gatewood Galbraith DiesBy Dylan Lovan, The Associated Press - Wednesday, January 4 2012 http://www.cannabisculture.com/v2/content/2012/01/04/Pot-Activist-and-5-Time-Governor-Candidate-Gatewood-Galbraith-Dies
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Comment #1 posted by The GCW on January 04, 2012 at 17:10:04 PT

The real question is???
Should Washington state government regulate the extremely popular, God-given plant cannabis or should the underground black market continue to regulate cannabis?Either way, the public demand will be satisfied.
[ Post Comment ]





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