Marijuana legalization is leading in every state where it’s on the ballot this November

[workinclasszero]

Marijuana legalization is leading in every state where it’s on the ballot this November
By Christopher Ingraham October 5 at 6:00 AM

Marijuana advocates are heading into the final weeks of the 2016 campaign with the wind at their backs as the latest polling shows legalization measures currently favored by voters in all five states where they're on the ballot.

This is something of a reversal from just a month ago, when the most recent polling had shown voters wary of legalization measures in Massachusetts and Arizona. But the margins of support aren't huge in any state, meaning that the contests could still swing either way.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/10/05/marijuana-legalization-is-leading-in-every-state-where-its-on-the-ballot-this-november/

[LonePirate]

1. This issue might help us win AZ at the presidential level.

[RKP5637]

2. K&R!!!! Some of the ads against it are horrifying and filled with endless lies. n/t

[Warren DeMontague]

3. KICK AND REC AND REC AND KICK

let's hope the beltway is paying attention.

[rollin74]

4. 57% support in Nevada for recreational legalization on the ballot next month

according to a recent poll

[RKP5637]

5. Recent Polls Show Growing Support for Medical Marijuana Legalization in Florida

https://www.medicaljane.com/2016/09/30/recent-polls-show-support-for-medical-marijuana-continues-to-grow-in-florida/

[onethatcares]

32. I saw the Florida add yesterday

against the legalization of medical m. What a pack of lies. Sadly the boys smokin dirt weed in the agricultural counties will
take it as gospel and vote against legalization.

[RKP5637]

35. Many Americans can't think for themselves anymore. Some see an ad and think it's the gospel

truth. It saddening how propagandized the US is. That ad is just filled with lies and propaganda. It's among one of the worst ads I've seen. Probably big pharma and the crusaders are behind it and many make big $$$$$'s via the prohibition of marijuana. And I think others get sadistic enjoyment knowing they are making other suffers with horrible medical problems.

[Warren DeMontague]

6. California looks pretty good.

That alone is going to be a game changer. I realize that the East Coast Beltway people sometimes kind of forget that there's a whole country west of the New Jersey turnpike, but if CA is legal that's 50 million Americans all up and down the west coast, plus CA is the 8th largest economy on the planet.

They can only ignore it for so long.

[Calculating]

7. Ca is the big one

If Ca legalizes it will probably go a long way towards forcing the feds to deal with this issue. The main issue facing these is simply voter turnout. Many of those in favor are young/middle aged people, while the elderly are generally opposed. If the young people turn out to vote these should pass with ease. If they all stay home because Bernie lost, then we might be in for some disappointment.

[Cakes488]

8. Legalize it !!!

[Warren DeMontague]

9. You know what's funny?

I remember bringing up the issue of marijuana legalization here, maybe in 2007 or so... and the reaction I got was invariably either "ha ha stoners don't vote" or "that's a non-issue, marijuana will never be legal, we shouldn't even talk about it"


I wish I could find those threads, today.

[yardwork]

11. Let it go. Gay folk were told that we were responsible for Gore's loss.

Just grab the freedom and run with it.

[Warren DeMontague]

12. Oh, I'm not bitter.

Just patting myself on the back for being ahead of the curve, as usual.

I was ahead of the curve on marriage equality, too. And I remember what you describe, it was severely fucked up.

[yardwork]

13. And I remember your support!

[Warren DeMontague]

15. ...

I've been here too long, probably.

[yardwork]

10. Good. I hope they vote for Hillary while they're at the polls.

[Warren DeMontague]

14. I suspect in California, where prominent Democrats like Gavin Newsom are on board, it won't be a

problem.

I don't know why the East Coast establishment is so uptight, by comparison, about this issue, it constantly befuddles me.

[yardwork]

16. Americans are very puritanical in many ways.

Our repressed attitudes cause all kinds of problems and authoritarian impulses.

Seriously, lots of people would do well to go outside, light up, and watch the clouds go by for an afternoon.

[Warren DeMontague]

23. Abso-frikkin-lutely.

[RKP5637]

36. Absolutely true! America has a lot of people with stupid inane puritanical leanings, and

they don't even know why. I think it just feels good to them to dictate and force their ideas onto others. In many ways America is very backward.

[Calculating]

17. Cultural lag

The east coast seems to have around 10-20 years of cultural lag when it comes to some social issues. Usually it's the west coast being progressive and then the east will eventually follow suite.

With the cannabis issue, I suspect some of it also relates to special interests. Many of the anti-pot politicians may have received contributions from big alcohol/tobacco/pharma/prison etc. Look no further than Debby the former DNC chairwoman.

[lonestarnot]

18. There is a whole economy based on keeping it illegal. People too stupid all these years to see that

a better kinder economy based on legalization.

[TeamPooka]

20. That's correct. Legalizing cannabis means fighting Big Pharma, the prison industry, LEO suppliers

and many more.

[lonestarnot]

27. It's Uuge.

Crap did I say that?

[Warren DeMontague]

22. What will swing it, for a lot of people, is the math on the legalization side.

My state is on track to pull in 100 million from recreational pot this year. That's money for schools, for roads, for all sorts of stuff.

[lonestarnot]

24. Yes that. Judges, prosecutors, probation officers, half way houses, drug programs, court ordered

therapy money grabbers, pay day lenders all of those folks could stand to lose some dough. Cops don't need to lose dough, they are included in this economy. They will have other things to do. Drug Ct can stay in business with all the other crap.

[Warren DeMontague]

25. sure, although I know a lot of people in the treatment field who are strongly against prohibition.

You ask anyone who's read the AA literature, they'll know that most of the original 12 steppers did their worst drinking during prohibition. Prohibition doesn't work.

That said, I firmly believe marijuana is way towards the benign side of the substance spectrum- far more so than alcohol- and court-ordered "rehab" for someone arrested smoking a joint is a fucking joke.

And there are a lot of cops who know they have way better things to do with their time than hassle pot users.

[lonestarnot]

26. I think many who were once opposed have seen the light.

[Warren DeMontague]

28. What's funny (although I'm not, actually, that surprised) is that in CA some of the most heated

opposition to measure 64 is coming from growers. That happened, to a certain extent, up here, too. They'll come up with all sorts of elaborate arguments but in reality they like the artificially inflated prices brought about by the legally gray status of their product, plus a lot of other people aren't willing to take the risks of growing now but will when it's legal. Plus I believe 64 will allow limited home grows for every household, as Oregon does now. So they fear the competition.

But I think their fears are overblown. The transition to a legal regulated market has been very smooth and successful up here, and the key players seem pretty happy so far.

[lonestarnot]

29. Interesting isn't it.

[Warren DeMontague]

21. I think you're right. It's weird.

I remember maybe a decade or two ago, going to NY, PA, etc. with my mildly hippie hair, which wouldn't even raise an eyebrow on this side of the country... I had total strangers come up to me "hey- nice hair- got any pot????" ... What, yes, I'm here for a business conference or some shit, right, but you think I just flew in with my Grateful Dead tapes and my bong to sell kind buds to strangers, yo.



However, as noted in the OP Maine and Mass. are both polling slightly in favor, now, so I'll happily eat my words if they pass it as well.

[TeamPooka]

19. Prohibition is a failed public policy, again. nt

[Laffy Kat]

30. Living in Colorado, I can tell you: There's not a down side. nt

[Warren DeMontague]

31. Same with Oregon.

There are a few new businesses, but in reality very little has changed except the state is getting more money.

[Laffy Kat]

34. I read somewhere that marijuana use among teens in CO

Has gone down since it's legality and I wonder if that is really true. Maybe pot has gotten too establishment?

[Calculating]

37. Yeah

It's no longer a taboo thing you can do to rebel against society.

[Retired George]

33. Just make sure Gary Johnson doesn't say anything

That would sink it for sure!

[Warren DeMontague]

38. K&R

[sarcasmo]

39. Great news, Thanks for the update.