Politics, Society

Poll: Sixty-One Percent Of Americans Favor Legalization Of Marijuana

jeff_sessions_official_portraitThe decision of Attorney General Jeff Sessions to rescind the Obama policy allowing states to legalize marijuana without federal interference has caused a firestorm of controversy, including an array of irate Republicans. As we have been discussing, recreational and medical marijuana is now a multi-billion dollar industry that is pouring tax revenues into states.  More importantly, it is very popular and it is becoming more so by the day.  Indeed, there is now an overwhelming majority of Americans who want to see pot legalized and taxed.  A new Pew poll shows not only 61 percent of people supporting legalization but an overwhelming number of Republicans in every age group except the oldest voters.  For that reason, the decision of Sessions to open up this new political front could cost an already besieged GOP in retaining its control of Congress. At a minimum, it threatens to drive a wedge between the GOP and the young voters — a voting bloc desperately needed in 2018 and 2020.  Some members are grumbling that they were already fearing the loss of one or two houses before this decision.  The new policy will only make it that much harder to retain the majority in Congress.  Moreover, various GOP members have denounced the Administration for breaking a promise made by Trump to let states make these decisions.

The 61 percent is an increase from 57 percent just a year ago.  It is twice the support from 2000.  However, what is really interesting is the breakdown on specific groups.  Millennials are polling at 70%.  What should worry the GOP is that the percentage of millennials is identical to the support among Democrats. That is a dangerous overlap for a party that is increasingly worried about an age demographic that continues to rise.  Some 43 percent of Republicans support legalization but the opposition is largely confined to the older demographic bands.

For those in the GOP (or GOP leaning)  who are younger than 40, support for legalization stands at 62 percent.  For those between the ages of 40 and 64 in the GOP ranks, almost half support legalization (48 percent).  It is the oldest group of over 65 years and oppose legalization by 67 percent to 30 percent.

favor legalizing marijuana use, 62% to 38%. Republicans ages 40 to 64 are divided (48% say it should be legal, 49% illegal), while those 65 and older oppose marijuana legalization by more than two-to-one (67% to 30%).

From a purely political perspective, the polling numbers could not be worst for a party fighting to build a new foundation.  The Democrats could not have picked a more perfect issue to wedge the GOP and younger voters. This is the type of policy that costs dearly with single-issue voters and this is the ultimate single issue for a huge number of voters. The questions being asked by GOP members are why and why now?

270 thoughts on “Poll: Sixty-One Percent Of Americans Favor Legalization Of Marijuana”

    1. Thanks for the Vox link, swarthmore mom.

      Law Enforcement Action Partnership (LEAP):

      https://lawenforcementactionpartnership.org/our-issues/drug-policy/

      “The War on Drugs is at the root of a staggering array of problems in today’s society.”

      Our Principles

      The Law Enforcement Action Partnership believes that adult drug abuse is a public health problem and not a law enforcement matter.

      The Law Enforcement Action Partnership does not promote the use of drugs and is deeply concerned about the extent of drug abuse and drug-related violence worldwide. However, both drug abuse and violence flourish under drug prohibition, just as they did during alcohol prohibition.

      The Law Enforcement Action Partnership recognizes that drugs can be dangerous and addictive. Reasonable regulation should protect public health and include age restrictions on drug sales and use.

      The Law Enforcement Action Partnership recognizes that currently illicit drugs pose different risks, requiring different models of regulation. We believe that U.S. states and other nations must be given the regulatory latitude to try new models that balance personal freedom and responsibility with the public health risks of death, disease, and addiction.

      The Law Enforcement Action Partnership recognizes that it will take time to strike a proper balance, blending private, public, and medical models to best control and regulate currently illicit drugs. Our speakers advocate for a range of strategies in line with their own diverse experiences and political philosophies.

      The Law Enforcement Action Partnership believes that government has a public health obligation to ascertain and clearly communicate to the public the risks associated with the use of each currently illicit drug.

      The Law Enforcement Action Partnership argues that as the government ends prohibition, it should release drug offenders, expunge their records, and restore their civil rights. However, we believe that people using alcohol or other drugs must be held accountable for the harms caused to others while under the influence.
      The Law Enforcement Action Partnership believes that individuals suffering from drug addiction who seek help should receive support, including drug treatment. We argue that the cost of expanding such services could be financed with a fraction of the criminal justice savings from ending drug prohibition. -LEAP

      1. The Black Asphalt/ Desert Snow program has different principles/ objectives from the LEAP approach.
        People who are unaware of the details of the Black Asphalt/ Desert Snow racket may find it worthwhile to read up on it.

        1. “… the Black Asphalt/ Desert Snow racket ” — not even in the same realm as LEAP

          http://www.washingtonpost.com/sf/investigative/2014/09/07/police-intelligence-targets-cash/

          Black Asphalt also has served as a social hub for a new brand of highway interdictors, a group that one Desert Snow official has called “a brotherhood.” Among other things, the site hosts an annual competition to honor police who seize the most contraband and cash on the highways. As part of the contest, Desert Snow encouraged state and local patrol officers to post seizure data along with photos of themselves with stacks of currency and drugs. Some of the photos appear in a rousing hard-rock video that the Guthrie, Okla.-based Desert Snow uses to promote its training courses.

          Annual winners receive Desert Snow’s top honorific: Royal Knight. The next Royal Knight will be named at a national conference hosted in Virginia Beach next year in collaboration with Virginia State Police.

          In just one five-year stretch, Desert Snow-trained officers reported taking $427 million during highway encounters, according to company officials. A Post analysis found the training has helped fuel a rise in cash seizures in the Justice Department’s main asset forfeiture program….

          “We recognize the unique and innovative nature of the Black Asphalt Web site and its efficacy for law enforcement,” Lewis wrote. “However, it is not a criminal intelligence system” subject to federal law.

          Lewis pointed out it did not meet federal standards for police intelligence systems, which require police to evaluate the information for relevance and a “reasonably suspected” link to criminal activity. It made 11 recommendations for improving the site, including requiring that BOLOs “be limited to situations of ‘significant investigative interest’ ” and “be based on ‘credible and reliable’ information.”

          In June, the Logan County Sheriff’s Office announced that it was handing over control of Black Asphalt to the sheriff’s office in Kane County. The point of contact is Deputy Ron Hain, the author of “In Roads” and the creator of Larry the Interdictor. -Washington Post article, linked above

          1. “…a controversial law enforcement database called Black Asphalt, which is maintained by a private firm called Desert Snow and provides information to help police engage in civil and criminal asset forfeiture.”

            “Iowa and Kansas have prohibited the use of Black Asphalt by law enforcement agencies because of concerns that it “might not be a legal law enforcement tool,” according to the Washington Post.”

            https://theintercept.com/2017/03/02/palantir-provides-the-engine-for-donald-trumps-deportation-machine/

            “The ICM documents appear to contain information about FALCON that is not otherwise publicly available. One funding document states that FALCON — and thus ICM — can link to a controversial law enforcement database called Black Asphalt, which is maintained by a private firm called Desert Snow and provides information to help police engage in civil and criminal asset forfeiture. Iowa and Kansas have prohibited the use of Black Asphalt by law enforcement agencies because of concerns that it “might not be a legal law enforcement tool,” according to the Washington Post. The funding documents also state that FALCON includes access to services provided by Cellebrite, an Israeli company that specializes in software used to breach cellphones.”

          2. Of course they’re not in the same realm.
            I didn’t bring up Black Asphalt/ Desert Snow as an advocate, but rather to point out what can happen if a jurisdiction decides “cash in” on “crime fighting”.
            It looks like the Supreme Court has gone out of its way to erode 4th Amendment protections over the past 20 years or so.
            Some states have put reasonable restrictions on practices like civil asset forfeitures, but SCOTUS seems to be AWOL.

            1. “I didn’t bring up Black Asphalt/ Desert Snow as an advocate…”

              It wasn’t clear. Thanks for clarifying.

              “It looks like the Supreme Court has gone out of its way to erode 4th Amendment protections over the past 20 years or so.”
              “Some states have put reasonable restrictions on practices like civil asset forfeitures, but SCOTUS seems to be AWOL.”

              Agreed.

                1. John Oliver did a great bit on civil asset forfeiture.
                  It’s about 5 minutes long…..if you haven’t seen it, it’s well worth tracking it down on the internet.

              2. Nash, as hall monitor for this blog, is not in favor of commenters telling other readers information like that the hedge fund boss, Robert Mercer, is reported to have given $350,000 to the campaign of Ward for U.S. Senate ( Az.) and $50,000 to McDaniel in Mississippi. Mercer was Bannon’s extreme right wing benefactor. Like all Republican strategists, the thrice-divorced Bannon never met a rich guy he didn’t court including wealthy “Christian” Foster Freiss.

                1. All of this while $145 million goes undiscussed. Linda is too busy shouting “Oligarchs” at the top of her lungs.

                2. I don’t seek or have any position as a topic monitor.
                  I will occasionally point out that a commentator is verbally jumping around like a chicken with its head cut off, can not stay on topic, and gives speeches inatead if engaging in a rational dialogue.
                  When you work that hard to get into that “special” group of obsessed, irrational loons, you may eventually get the recognition you deserve.

                  1. Thanks Tom Nash, your confirmation about the truths in Fast and Fury. It is appreciated. Pres. Trump has indeed received attention for his ranting tweets.

  2. Marijuana is an issue to anyone other than potheads like Guam is an issue to anyone other than Guamians. Nobody goes to jail for pot anymore except the dealers and that’s more of a tax evasion issue.

  3. Despite the demographic differences Turley mentioned in the polling data, I still have every reason to believe that marijuana use is fundamentally incompatible with cellphone use. There’s just no way that anyone could see the buttons, let alone push them, least of all read those tiny little letters on that tiny little screen and be stoned immaculate at the same time without experiencing psychotropic hallucinations of the utmost psychedelic kind. And that’s why The Tweeter-In-Chief and Ernie The Keebler Elf simply must keep cannabis out of the hands of the youth of America for another generation. So long as they can prevent Millennials from getting high, there’s still a chance that Putin can get a text message through to our future generations. Not to mention running up the score on Trump’s likes, follows and retweets. Why else wouldn’t Trump be lacing his chocolate cake with marijuana by now? What more proof do you need?

  4. Show Sessions that flouting the will of the people and siding with oligarchs like Dick Uihlein is yesterday’s abuse and that it won’t stand today.
    Big Republican donor Dick Uihlein from ILLINOIS has spent $23 mil. to defeat the Democratic Senate candidate in WISCONSIN.

  5. Decriminalize pot at the federal level. Let the states deal with it at their level. We don’t live in a perfect world.

    1. I.Bob

      Let the states end the war on drugs. What you smoke, chew, drink, snort, or shoot ain’t nobody’s business but your own. It’s time to let the world’s biggest drugs cartel aka CIA die a natural death, and while we’re at it, reassign the troops that are patrolling/guarding the Poppy fields in Afghanistan.
      Let Congress appropriate any funds needed for necessary covert CIA operations.

      It’s high time to legalize freedom.

      1. King T rump wants da Mary Jane banished from da kingdom. Da stable genius has declared it to be banned. Grow it and you are goin to da pokey.

      2. >It’s high time to legalize freedom.
        Otherwise known as a G.O.P. talking point, when convenient, if talking about guns or Jesus.

  7. Pretty sure in light of Bannon’s book release, Trump let the leash off Sessions and told him to do what he does best and go ban MJ to distract etc. Session owes him one for recusing himself on Russia

    1. Either a distraction or big donors from the alt right don’t want weed legalized. McConnell told us that the tax bill was passed for them. They’re probably afraid the nation’s slave labor will become as unproductive as they are.

      1. Good point. I suppose with California legalizing now, big Pharma, liquor, and tobacco would feel especially threatened.

  9. Marijuana is an idea whose time has come. (I have never tried it.) Recall that the Eighteenth Amendment (1919) was repealed by the Twenty-First (1933). For those who have forgotten, that was Prohibition.

    Those who forget the errors of the past – or never learned them – are bound to repeat them.

    1. Is there any issue with Session’s declaration during his confirmation that the Federal govt (ie Jeff Sessions) would be hands off regarding any state’s rights to legalize?

      1. We’re talking politics in D.C. and in state capitols …consistency, not even on the radar…only criteria, what the big donors want e.g. the McConnell/Ryan tax bill- American oligarchy …ask Putin.

  13. Not clear to me that Congress has the authority, under the constitution, to make cannabis illegal when it is not offered in interstate trade. As it is only available via intrastate trades here up and down the Left Coast, I think no federal lawyer can get applicable. I am sure that George will agree with me. Any others?

    1. David B. Benson,….
      – I think Gonzales v. Raich is the Supreme Court’s “latest word” on the issue of intrastate marijuana.
      Unless the Court reverses itself, the Gonzales v. Raich case will probably be used as the justification for enforcement of federal marijuana laws on states that have legalized marijuana.

    2. David, I agree. However the commerce clause of the Constitution has been interpreted so broadly by the courts that we cannot be certain about the reach of federal criminal law in this instance. Some interstate nexus would have to be shown, presumably.

      1. David and Tom: Yes, the case of Gonzalez v. Raich shows how far the courts have extended the commerce clause. Here’s the guts of that decision in a medicinal use of mj under California law:

        Congress’ power to regulate purely local activities that are part of an economic “class of activities” that have a substantial effect on interstate commerce is firmly established. See, e.g., Perez v. United States, 402 U. S. 146, 151. If Congress decides that the “ ‘total incidence’ ” of a practice poses a threat to a national market, it may regulate the entire class.

        1. Thanks for the information, RDKAY.
          Kansas and Nebraska challenged neighboring Colorado’s legalized pot, claiming negative effects on their states.
          The last I heard was that the Supreme Court refused to hear the case, but that the two states could restart their lawsuit in a lower federal court.
          That was about two years ago, and I don’t know if Kansas/Nebraska will take it up again, or let the issue drop.
          From what little I know about it, I don’t see a lot of consistency in the Court’s past decisions on the supremacy of federal law.
          One practical problem the disparity between state laws has created is the issue of “license plate profiling/ fishing expeditions” on the part of the more restrictive states.
          The case of Roseen v. Idaho was unfortunately dropped, but I would have liked to have seen it played out in the courts.

    3. “Penny wise and pound foolish.”

      You argue law and ignore the Constitution.

      No individual or group of individuals has authority to deny freedom of ingestion to Americans.

      “The Law is Reason free from Passion.”

      ― Aristotle

      “Reason is the life of the law; nay, the common law itself is nothing less than reason.”

      — Edward Coke, First Institute [1628]

      Reasonable law precludes property damage and bodily injury, not natural and God-given, constitutional freedoms and rights.

      You are conflating and confusing issues. You want a responsible, well-heeled populace while you nullify and void the Naturalization Acts of 1790, 1795 and 1802, fail to “compassionately repatriate” after abolishing slavery and you import “…the wretched refuse of your teeming shore…” (for the uninitiated, the later is not in the Constitution). It’s not the alcohol, peyote or marijuana. It’s the pedigree; the gene pool; the DNA.

      Do you know why they require membership at your country club?

      What did you think was going to happen when the gates were removed?

  14. I don’t like speed limit laws. Get rid of them. Who dares infringe upon my right to speed! It is likely 75 to 80% of all people who drive have broken the speed limit at one time or another – so clearly it is a popular idea that speeding must be allowed.

    Why stop with pot? Why limit our use of opioids? Also, let’s all be allowed to buy a tank – with ammo!
    To add insult to injury why force me to pay for the schooling of people I don’t even know? Sounds like anarchy is a much-beloved concept – “Kill the Ump” is going to have a new meaning if 61% of the stadium backs such a move.

    Congress decided long ago that certain substances should be controlled. If they want to change, go right ahead and do so – but neither President Obama or Trump as authority to decree anything.

    1. “Congress decided long ago that certain substances should be controlled.”
      ___________________________________________________________

      The whole thing that “Congress decided…” is grossly unconstitutional. Have you ever read the Constitution?

      And “Congress decided long ago…” to impose the principles of the Communist Manifesto on free Americans in the forms of the unconstitutional income tax, Federal Reserve Board, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, forced busing, “Affirmative Action Privilege,” ;private business regulation, etc. Read the Constitution. Congress has only the power to tax for “general Welfare” (“all” “well” “get along” – roads, water, sewer, post office, currency, utilities, etc.) not individual welfare and private property is not under the authority of the government, as James Madison defined private property as:

      “that dominion which one man claims and exercises over the external things of the world, in exclusion of every other individual.”

      And John Roberts approved the absurd and wholly unconstitutional Obamacare.

      And “Crazy Abe” Lincoln started a war with no constitutional authority as secession is not restricted and, thereby, allowed by the Constitution.

      These usurpations of power and violations of the Constitution are why impeachment was provided for in the Constitution – crimes of high office.

      Roberts, Lincoln et al. should have been thrown in prison for denying rights and freedoms to Americans.

      The presumption in your statement is the the “people” in the government have more intelligence and discernment that “people” in the country. Einstein had the most human intelligence and he couldn’t tie his shoelaces.

      Laws exist to prevent property damage and bodily injury. People have the right to use alcohol, marijuana and even pour mercury in their ears if they choose. They may not, however, cause damage or injury to other property or people.

      BTW – You may have a tank and a machine gun on your private property. I doubt you would be allowed on public roadways as you would damage them severely. And I’m going to guess that it is illegal to shoot other people with any type of rifle or gun.

  15. Americans enjoy the freedoms of thought, speech, belief, religion, press, assembly, etc., and every other conceivable natural and God-given right and freedom per the 9th Amendment. These rights and freedoms existed before government was established and were delivered to the people by the Constitution.

    9th Amendment –

    “The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.”

    Who will deny Americans their right to and freedom of “ingestion?” If Americans cannot ingest, Americans cannot be free. Understanding that there are laws against property damage and bodily injury and that Americans are responsible for their behavior as individuals, Americans have the right to and the freedom of ingestion while the government exists to facilitate that and every other freedom. The freedoms of Americans are not limited, the government is. A life and its course is entirely left to the individual. The Founders gave Americans the only thing they could: Freedom.

    1. I don’t know what is going on with Word Press. I have tried to post for about 45 minuets. This is my 4th try. I hope I don’t suddenly have a bunch of duplicates. Here we go…

      People are starting to find out WHY cannabis was made illegal. Even if you don’t use it, the history of pot prohibition should make you angry.

      http://www.drugwarrant.com/articles/why-is-marijuana-illegal/

      Cannabis was made illegal based on lies, misinformation, greed & the Reefer Madness disinformation campaign. At that time the AMA was against this prohibition. Dr. William C. Woodward, Legislative Council of the American Medical Association was the spokesman. The real target was not even the kind that is smoked. WR Hurst was after industrial hemp.

      Now we have a war on some drugs that is a huge threat to most every one on the planet. Rx drugs kill thousands every year. No one in the history of the world has ever died from a cannabis overdose. So where is the big call for Rx drugs to be banned? The key: as usual, follow the money.

      Law Enforcement Action Partnership knows what time it is regarding cannabis. They changed their name from Law Enforcement Against Prohibition. Browse their site for good information.

      https://lawenforcementactionpartnership.org/our-issues/drug-policy/

      Sessions is just a bit two faced regarding cannabis. Is he being influenced by tobacco $$?

      paleofuture.gizmodo.com/jeff-sessions-anti-weed-crusader-was-a-shill-for-big-1792831457

      Ok, ol Jeff is a LOT two faced. Hypocrite Sessions. I sure hope we can get someone in his place with some real stones.

      SamFox

      1. Sam,
        The limit is two links per post. Also, sometimes WordPress just likes to pull people’s chains.

    2. George is a little r republican, in other words, a paper tiger in a big R republican oligarchy, which exists because of his voting.

  16. I see this move and it’s timing as having two purposes. One, like the DACA situation it is a way of forcing Congress to do what it should have done in the first place as laid out by Darren Smith. Or to put another ezample forcing the issiue on immigration policy in rapid manner through the lower courts to the Supreme court for settlement and then the loose thread of DACA into the proper branch – the congress. IT’s a prelude to the dismantling of the fourth branch of Government where one branch and one of it’s sub agencies has all three powers, legislation, administration, and judicial.

    A follow on would be the internal census of the judicial and legislative functions assigned to the Executive branch and the subsequent removal of them from the executive branches budget request. Iit is proper for the the congress and the courts to have expert advice but only under their own control and their own budget. With that easy fix life goes on with checks and balances restored for the most part. Another stick in the eye would be refusal to administate or enforce any of the laws and regulations added in the Fourth Branch manner which had not been returned for approval to the legislature. etc.

    Thus the fire storm serves it’s purposes and results for one thing in a greatly reduced personnel budget and the presence of uncontrolled sub agencies now numbering near one million.

    The second purpose is to draw attention away from Sessionis other initiative concerning the new investigation of the Clinton/DNC/ etc. issue. Something that has already uncovered a mass of wrong doing in uncontrolled rogue departments sections.

    Aipparently marijuana has more headline potential than Huma Gotcha with the inclusion of DACA also ahead of the Clinton Cartel. It provides a way for the media to play pretend and extract themselves from the collusion crap they now wade in daily hip deep in garbage of their own making.

    It also paves the way for enough changes n the legal structure for a federal tax on marijuana and that may be one answer to re balancing budgets and paying off twenty trillion dollar debts.

    Lastly it is the sum and substance of a potential plan offered to the Trump Campaign when they circulated requests for problems, priorities and possible solutions.

    While the couch potatoes were relegated to asking. If we are at 90% why are we not fifty points ahead?

    They still have no clue..but that’s a side benefit.

    Last thought it would automatically reduce the deep state as well.

    1. Maybe Jeff Sessions sees it as part of his job to protect all of the special interest groups associated with The War on Drugs – i.e. lawyers, bail bondsmen LEOs, prisons (public and privately operated), probation officers,
      suppliers to these groups, companies that claim to erase criminal records, prosecutors, asset forfeiture states, and others e.g. judges, clerks, corrupt DEA officials, CIA agents – to name a few.

      Not to be confused with The War on Drugs @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMZNt0MBfQg&t=1431s

      1. ALEC’s membership (almost exclusively Republican) includes the bail bond industry. The more Americans that can be made into felons, the more that the oligarchy can deny the right to vote.

          1. Rich people who have almost “398 illegal aliens” working in their plants get their sentences commuted by Trump. Trump’s wall belongs up north in Iowa.

            1. Linda, I support Trump. He wants to get rid of illegal immigration and permit only legal immigration that is good for the nation and the other “99%”. We are seeing salaries rising and unemployment falling. All we need to do is level the playing field so that all businesses have to hire legal workers that are not displacing or lowering the salaries of American citizens.

              Now you can continue howling Oligarch, Oligarch, Oligarc….

  17. Pingback: Poll: Sixty-One Percent Of Americans Favor Legalization Of Marijuana | Top 100 Blog Review

  18. “The solution, they believe, is passing a bill that prevents the federal government from interfering with state marijuana rights, and ending federal marijuana prohibition.” (from the first linked article)

    Congress (the lawmakers) should introduce a bipartisan bill to decriminalize marijuana at a federal level. Problem solved. No?

      1. Right, but Trump has said that states should be allowed to legalize pot if they choose to do so. Trump has also said he is in favor of medical marijuana being made available. So if they decriminalize it at the federal level, then states are no longer in conflict with federal law and the states can choose their own direction moving forward.

        Sessions views this through a legal filter: enforce federal law or change the law. But Trump likely views marijuana reform also through a business lens. Pot is already a billion dollar business in states where it is legal, and this means jobs, jobs, jobs and tax revenue — and the industry is only expected to grow as more states move toward legalizing it. As long as pot remains federally illegal it will continue to create problems for the pot shops/dispensaries/growers who can’t operate like ‘normal’ businesses b/c they have trouble getting lines of credit from banks that are federally regulated and they can’t deduct operating expenses on federal taxes like other businesses, etc. I see this as a good move by Sessions that puts the pressure on Congress to act.

        1. What da stable genius king said in da campaign and what he does now ain’t even remotely da same. He got your vote and moved on down da road.

  19. Let’s not lose sight of the fact that it is Congress that bears the blame for this happening.

    While I fully support marijuana legalization, the reason federal enforcement of any statutory law occurs is based upon the establishment of a criminal law that is enacted by Congress.

    The executive branch is tasked with enforcing the laws enacted by Congress. It could be rationally argued that the Obama Administration effectively vetoed long established legislative intent by nullifying enforcement of federal law based upon self-approved standards granting deference of open violations of federal drug laws while at the same time prosecuting others for the same offense. While this issue is based upon the notion of prosecutorial discretion, it is not the purview of the executive branch to broadly refuse to enforce standing legislation of the federal government.

    One of the great risks assumed by the states was permitting its citizens ostensibly license to violate federal law. The known risk was precariously predicated on the will of one person, the U.S. Attorney General. The AG could at any moment reverse policy.

    Now, the ball is in Congress’s court to remedy the situation to a just conclusion. It managed to kick the can down the road by hiding behind the previous administration’s justice department who gave them a face-saving way out of deciding the matter once and for all legislatively. The statements by Mr. Sessions should force the hand of Congress to stop hiding behind the matter and end this ridiculous prohibition.

    But as long as Congress is greased by the hash-oil of moneyed interests wanting to keep marijuana illegal, blame will be mounted on President Trump or order to deflect well deserved criticism of other politicians.

    1. Enforce federal law or change the law. We will have marijuana legalized at the federal level at some point in the near future. This should be up to the individual states.

    2. While Congress does bear some blame for not changing the law, the Executive shares plenty. The determination of whether marijuana remains a Schedule 1 substance is left to the DEA which is controlled by the President.

      Since 1970, every administration has insisted that marijuana remains on Schedule 1 despite the weight of scientific evidence weighing against that determination.

      1. Fiver,…
        Researchers have also complained about this.
        Putting marijuana in the same class as heroin and LSD can complicate their efforts to study the effects/ medicinal benefits of pot.

  20. I suspect this poll is misleading. What were the actual questions asked and who was asked? Most people would not be against possible medicinal use, but might still be against recreational use. Recreational use has the same dangers as tobacco from second hand smoke, unlike alcohol, and the effects on small children present can be deadly. Of course not even “conservative” news will report that. They are hoping to make million in some pot stock by promoting the so called benefits.

    1. “the effects on small children present can be deadly.”?
      “same dangers as tobacco from second hand smoke”?

      Tom, you make outrageous claims that can NOT be scientifically substantiated by the research.
      You’re entitled to your own opinion, but NOT to your own “facts”.

      Tom, I’d like you to please SHOW ME the research studies you are apparently citing to support your wild claims.

      And then after you have failed to produce even one shred of evidence to support your wild claims—

      SHOW ME THE BODIES!!!

      Failing that, please have the common decency and respect to rescind your disinformation and misinformation with an apology.

      Neither have any business in the context of an intelligent discussion regarding the merits or demerits
      of cannabis use which has been PROVEN to have the LOWEST TOXICITY levels any medicine or any
      recreational substance used for pleasure by the masses. That’s a fact, NOT an opinion.

      Let’s not confuse opinions and smear campaign propaganda with scientifically verified facts and research.

      It does this discussion and all of us a grave disservice that is neither helpful or enlightening.

      Let’s stick with the “facts” as bore out with accredited university research studies and documentation please!

      I await your rebuttal.

      Thank you!

      Peter Anastasia R.N.

      PS: If a small amount of smoke is an issue for some respiratory compromised folks, there are other optimal routes of administration available for this herb such as medical edibles, tinctures, vaporizing, using as an
      oil, or just eating the raw herb orally. Most folks limit their inhalation of quality cannabis to several puffs
      given it’s overall potency in today’s market. Things like mold aren’t relevant when purchasing cannabis from
      a regulated facility that tests for cannibinoid levels and traces of impurities like mold.
      There’s a lot of rubbish out there passing for “studies”, please do NOT waste our time or insult our intelligence with such rubbish. Because ultimately, I’ll need you to SHOW ME THE BODIES to consummate your argument. Thanks!

      https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/24/marijuana-safer-than-alcohol-tobacco_n_6738572.html

      http://drjakefelice.com/cannabismatrix/2013/07/03/there-is-no-pain-killing-medication-less-toxic-than-cannabis-period/

      1. Peter,
        While their little bodies did recover, small children who mistake laced brownies or other laced “foods” for regular treats do often have serious side effects, ranging from motor impairment to respiratory failure and coma. Though these outcomes are rare, such a possibility should not be glossed over.

        Marijuana is more potent than it used to be and should consequently be treated with more care.

        https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/833828-overview#a6

        Regarding its mode of action on the brain, this was very interesting:

        The Abstract

        “Increases in mesolimbic dopamine transmission are observed when animals are treated with all known drugs of abuse, including cannabis, and to conditioned stimuli predicting their availability. In contrast, decreases in mesolimbic dopamine function are observed during drug withdrawal, including cannabis-withdrawal syndrome. Thus, despite general misconceptions that cannabis is unique from other drugs of abuse, cannabis exerts identical effects on the mesolimbic dopamine system. The recent discovery that endogenous cannabinoids modulate the mesolimbic dopamine system, however, might be exploited for the development of potential pharmacotherapies designed to treat disorders of motivation. Indeed, disrupting endocannabinoid signaling decreases drug-induced increases in dopamine release in addition to dopamine concentrations evoked by conditioned stimuli during reward seeking.”

        http://m.perspectivesinmedicine.cshlp.org/content/2/8/a012229.full

        The papers I have read indicate that heavy recreational use may increase cancer risk, but the results are still inconclusive.

        Regarding medicinal use, while cannabinoids can help with pain, it is still a bandaid. For those with chronic pain, the treatment should still aim to correct the root of the problem, if possible–gut dysbiosis, low D levels and other deficiencies, chronic inflammation, etc.

        Perhaps prescribe the bandaid, but do not stop there.

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