Hey, who’s up for another “Americans oppose legalizing it” poll?
posted at 9:31 pm on April 20, 2010 by Allahpundit
I thought 4/20 might be the day that Sarahcuda scrambled the narrative and shocked the world with the “legalize it!” Facebook message to end all Facebook messages. Alas.
A man can dream, my friends.
That’s from CBS; a new AP poll released today puts the national split at, er, 33/55. Same basic demographic breakdowns as usual, though: The west is the only region that supports legalization, 35s and under are the only age group that supports it, and a heavy majority across the board supports it for medicinal purposes. Looks like this is going to be a war of attrition, with more liberal-minded young’uns replacing the hardline anti-pot 65-and-over group over time, in which case they might as well wait 10 years before taking the next poll. The only thing that’ll move the numbers in the interim is if some prominent righty comes out in favor of legalization to soften the bedrock opposition among conservatives, Republicans, and seniors — which, come to think of it, are the core demographics of the tea party movement. Imagine the political impact if Glenn Beck sparked a bowl on his show tomorrow or Marco Rubio lit up a fattie. Although even with their influence, they don’t have quite the same sort of values cred as Palin does, huh? I think she’s the only one who can make this happen, guys. The movement is in her hands. Content warning.
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Based on what evidince?
Your say-so is not enough.
And this…
…doesn’t really sell it, either.
massrighty on April 20, 2010 at 10:54 PM
Thank you for being so forthright.
In my younger days, I would have said make it all legal and let the market, the criminal law, and the actuarial tables sort it all out. Give me God-like authority, and it will happen.
Acknowledging that I’ll probably never attain Divine status, there are political consequences and economic realities that drive them to be considered.
So, I think we ought to be able to a fair-minded cost benefit analysis for everything, and at least figure out a starting point. Clearly, the costs of keeping cannabis illegal far outweigh the benefits society realizes from prohibition. It really isn’t even close.
Likewise, I think a fair argument could be made for making heroin and other opiates legal. The fact is that given heroin for a price that doesn’t reflect enormous risk-premium, most junkies aren’t going to be committing anywhere near as much crime as they are now to support their habit.
However, I do think the case gets more complicated when talking about cocaine, methamphetamine, and other stimulants. There are negative externalities associated with these drugs that may make risking their unrestricted use simply too dangerous. I’m not saying that that is the case; just that these drugs clearly pose more of a threat than cannabis or heroin.
JohnGalt23 on April 20, 2010 at 10:54 PM
State university graduate, my friend.
MadisonConservative on April 20, 2010 at 10:55 PM
They’re good, man! Plus, at least you actually read answers to your questions.
MadisonConservative on April 20, 2010 at 10:55 PM
Dude, game, set, match. Well said.
Rightwingguy on April 20, 2010 at 10:57 PM
Seriously. MadCon, do you wear ironic shirts and a trucker hat when you smoke your cloves? :)
Good Solid B-Plus on April 20, 2010 at 10:57 PM
Thank you for not calling me a dickhole for asking you that simple question.
I disagree with your argument from constitutional and libertarian grounds then.
AUINSC on April 20, 2010 at 10:57 PM
It’s the least I can do. I enjoy your commentary.
Rightwingguy on April 20, 2010 at 10:57 PM
The manchild thing did it, didn’t it? ;)
blatantblue on April 20, 2010 at 10:58 PM
Do I shot who in the what now?
MadisonConservative on April 20, 2010 at 10:58 PM
Hit close to home for me.
Rightwingguy on April 20, 2010 at 10:59 PM
I too would be honored to blaze with SP.
Preferably with her stash of the Matanuska Valley.
JohnGalt23 on April 20, 2010 at 11:01 PM
Perfect irony in just five words. Well done.
infidel4life on April 20, 2010 at 11:02 PM
YO ID LOVE TO DOOB WITH SP
and be like yo baby lets cuddle
blatantblue on April 20, 2010 at 11:02 PM
i dont smoke but for SP i phuckin will!
blatantblue on April 20, 2010 at 11:02 PM
I admire your dedication.
Rightwingguy on April 20, 2010 at 11:03 PM
I think you misunderstood me. I think that there are no grounds for federal laws involving any of these substances.
I think if there are to be laws against cocaine, or methamphetamine, or PCP, that those laws should be decided by state governments.
JohnGalt23 on April 20, 2010 at 11:03 PM
I’m done arguing my point. You guys and gals can believe what you want. I don’t think pot should be legal, I’ll end it at that.
I don’t get no respect!
Narutoboy on April 20, 2010 at 11:04 PM
Fair enough. I didn’t say anything about where the laws originated.
Just asked the question.
AUINSC on April 20, 2010 at 11:05 PM
Not until you graduate and get a real job, sucka.
MadisonConservative on April 20, 2010 at 11:06 PM
Good night.
Rightwingguy on April 20, 2010 at 11:08 PM
Respect is earned here friend, not given for no reason.
infidel4life on April 20, 2010 at 11:09 PM
Dynamite drop-in, Monty.
Good Solid B-Plus on April 20, 2010 at 11:10 PM
Legalize Pot seriously? Don’t you have real issues to worry about?
petunia on April 20, 2010 at 11:22 PM
Happy 4/20!
Petunia, this bud’s for you.
JohnGalt23 on April 20, 2010 at 11:35 PM
Yes: contitutionally limited government.
exception on April 20, 2010 at 11:39 PM
Is it legal to perform a citizen’s arrest on a pot-head?
Narutoboy on April 20, 2010 at 11:45 PM
“Pot-head” is not a legal term of art.
exception on April 20, 2010 at 11:57 PM
That’s what Bill Clinton says too.
AUINSC on April 20, 2010 at 11:58 PM
Legalizing it is the only sane thing we can do with this issue. Just because it becomes legal DOES NOT mean millions of people are gonna go out and get high. It doesn’t work that way. I, personally, think drug use is abhorrent and will raise my kids to think the same, however, the government shouldn’t be the ones dictating the legality of drugs. Of course, if you want a nanny government to continue to tell us what we should put in our bodies, keep pushing the drug war.
RightXBrigade on April 21, 2010 at 12:00 AM
You are implying that if it did, you might be against it. Is that your case? Or are you just saying that because you’ll use any argument in favor of legalization, so those opposed will think it won’t matter if it’s legalized? If so, how does that square with any constitutional argument for legalization? Legalize it because most people won’t use it?
Most people who argue for legalization never look beyond pot…because it’s a very difficult question they would rather not answer.
AUINSC on April 21, 2010 at 12:07 AM
I wouldn’t be against it being legal. I am personally against doing drugs and drinking but why should I force my personal beliefs on other people by use of the hand of government? If I don’t like drugs, I will refrain from using them and instill the same into my children. But, like I said, who am I to tell someone else what they can put in their body?? I will think it’s wrong personally, but that’s my own prerogative.
RightXBrigade on April 21, 2010 at 12:12 AM
Fair enough…then why not legalize any substance that anybody wants to put in their body? PCP? Why not?
AUINSC on April 21, 2010 at 12:14 AM
By the way, it has been legal for most of our country’s history than illegal. I don’t remember huge drug cartels warring over marijuana trafficking during the drafting of the Constitution.
What’s your case for its criminalization?
RightXBrigade on April 21, 2010 at 12:14 AM
Ok fine, I’ll lay it on the line. I don’t support the “war on drugs” and don’t think any government has the right to tell any private citizen what they can and cannot put in their own bodies in the privacy of their own homes.
RightXBrigade on April 21, 2010 at 12:15 AM
Why didn’t you say so? That’s an honest position.
AUINSC on April 21, 2010 at 12:21 AM
canopfor on April 20, 2010 at 10:38 PM
—————————–
Hey, I’ve got a bunch of Bufo toads. Shall I start shipping?
katy the mean old lady on April 20, 2010 at 10:41 PM
katy the mean old lady: Bufo frogs,lol:)
canopfor on April 21, 2010 at 12:31 AM
Legalize it? Just don’t prohibit it. I mean, hasn’t the War on Drugs been a huge success? /sarc
docdave on April 21, 2010 at 1:00 AM
Allah, this is truly lame.
The deal is that all you guys playing with yourselves with the titillating possibility that dope will soon be legal have profoundly missed the point.
Here’s a hint: the lesson to be learned from the ’60s is they’re over. You continue to display the unassailable fact that you just don’t know what you’re talking about – and that includes everybody who thinks (a) it’s harmless or that (b) you’re ever gonna get rid of it.
Wise up. Read and learn something:
http://washingtonrebel.typepad.com/washington_rebel/2010/03/they-dont-call-it-dope-for-nothing.html
http://washingtonrebel.typepad.com/washington_rebel/2010/03/okay-now-what.html
http://washingtonrebel.typepad.com/washington_rebel/2010/03/coming-soon-to-a-neighborhood-near-you.html
warbaby on April 21, 2010 at 1:20 AM
Only polls that count are from California. Once CA legalizes, the cat’s out of the bag.
John9400 on April 21, 2010 at 2:25 AM
You can legally buy a lethal dose of alcohol and drink yourself to death. If you tried to overdose on weed the worst results would be (a) A deep sleep (b) eat all the goodies in the kitchen. When was the last time you read about someone smoking too much weed and beating up the ol’ lady? Just sayin…
I guess you could say well yeah, you could also buy a legally buy a lethal dose of gasoline or paint thinner and drink yourself to death too, but who is gonna do that?
tbear44 on April 21, 2010 at 2:34 AM
Toad lickin? Far out.
tbear44 on April 21, 2010 at 2:36 AM
I don’t really have a strong opinion on this subect,as there are so many good and bad arguments on both sides.While I don’t think pot is so harmful to be banned,I also don’t think it is so harmless to be readily available.
What I would like to see is some TRULY OBECTIVE studies on the effects,and then some common sense debate on the issue.Anecdotal evidence suggests that pot is harmless,but any empirical studies I’ve seen all seem to be framed in such a way as to prove the researchers pre-conceived notions.
DDT on April 21, 2010 at 3:01 AM
Odette Yustman!
YEAAAAAAAAAOOOOOWWWW!!!
That is the name of the supernova hottie girl in case anyone is wondering.
You can see more of her in Cloverfield.
leereyno on April 21, 2010 at 3:38 AM
Um, what?
Inkblots on April 21, 2010 at 3:54 AM
ok. Legalize it just in San Fran. Anyone cuahgt outside of San Fran with the crap gets 5 years. Treat it like Bourbon Street. Sure its all fine and dandy, but get caught 10 feet off that street with an open container and off you go. I’d go for that. Then when San Fran is ran into the dumps, the example is made of why we didnt legalize it Nationally. Hows that?
johnnyU on April 21, 2010 at 4:41 AM
I AM! I AM !
Always up for one of those baby. The more often the better. Stoners suck and the last thing America needs is more of them.
American Elephant on April 21, 2010 at 6:20 AM
It’s illegal?
adamsmith on April 21, 2010 at 8:10 AM
Not all pot smokers graduate to harder, more dangerous drugs, but almost all hard drug users started with pot. That’s enough for me to stay on the “keep it illegal” side. And yes, I’ve smoked pot and hash and taken LSD and a couple other things when I was young and stupid. But I grew up. I don’t miss any of that crap and am not a better person for having used them. Not in the least. I probably killed some desperately needed brain cells in the process, so I’m worse off. Drug legalization adds to our slide into an amoral society. Won’t AP just love that.
SKYFOX on April 21, 2010 at 8:55 AM
As a parent, I’m seeing first hand the effects of the “legalizing” attitude. The fact that yesterday was 4-20 was a major “topic of the day” at my children’s high school. My boys were pretty shocked by the accepting attitude of their teachers and didn’t hear a single person anything negative outside of themselves and a few close friends.
My office is next door to a methadone clinic. I get to sit on the sidelines and watch the “messed up” condition of their clients. We’ve watch husbands flip out and start hitting their wives in the parking lot. I watched one lady strip down and take a bath in our fountain. But, when you look at these people, you see lost and wasted lives that create a wave of damage around themselves….. and these are the legal addicts.
I don’t believe that legalization is harmless…. I think it will be a further step in becoming a dependent society.
2nd Ammendment Mother on April 21, 2010 at 10:19 AM
Hey, legalize anything you want. I just want an explicit rider attached to such laws that gives me the right to defend myself and my family while you’re “expanding your mind”.
No need to hire a lawyer to defend myself when your family bemoans your ‘untimely passing while experiencing existential bliss’.
GarandFan on April 21, 2010 at 10:40 AM
It really is just like anything else… If it’s made illegal, people will still have access to it but it won’t be controlled. Same as weed. There’s nothing wrong with smoking or drinking or doing what you want as long as it doesn’t affect others. If you don’t like drinking (or smoking), then just don’t do it. Why is it the government’s role to tell us not to do something that is bad for us? You should probably stop eating so much salt on your fries. It’ll make you retain more water, which will make you fat, which will make you take up room on the train I take to work each morning, which will make me uncomfortable. That’s not even mentioning the fact that if you’re the train conductor, you might die of a heart attack from all that salt. Where do you draw the line? Let me drink and smoke if I choose to do so!
BeantownModerate on April 21, 2010 at 10:55 AM
Next, we’ll here Allah say something like “bust a move” or “jiggy with it”.
I am now a bit confused. AllahP is a conservative who:
a) Is an aetheist
b) knows drug lingo and how to use it in context
c) discounts Sarah’s political accumen
Sounds an awful lot like a Kos Kid, doncha think?
/sarc (but just barely)
BobMbx on April 21, 2010 at 11:31 AM
Then the task for the legalizers (I call them pot heads) is prove that it doesn’t effect others. I invite you to pay special attention to those “unintended consequences” that may arise.
BobMbx on April 21, 2010 at 11:36 AM
We already have laws for that. If you are drinking and driving and injure someone, your license is revoked or you go to jail. If you’re drinking and enjoying yourself and no one gets hurt, you’re all good and might wake up with a hangover. That’s where legalizing pot comes in…
BeantownModerate on April 21, 2010 at 11:52 AM
How are they to legally do that while pot remains illegal?
MadisonConservative on April 21, 2010 at 12:51 PM
whats funny is that in florida, magic shrooms are legal to possess as long as they are not dried.
jsunrise on April 21, 2010 at 12:52 PM
Though I don’t particularly like your idea ;), I bet the San Fran restaurant owners will love it. Except for those new ‘vegetarian’ Mondays, when legions of zombies come by and get bummed out that they can’t, like, buy real fooooooood, man… :)
RD on April 21, 2010 at 5:57 PM
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