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Poll: Don't Arrest Medical Marijuana Users

By Jeralyn, Section Crime Policy
Posted on Mon Jun 13, 2005 at 11:44:18 AM EST
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Via Marijuana Policy Project:

In a new Mason-Dixon poll released today, registered voters said by a greater than 3-1 margin that they don't want the federal government to arrest medical marijuana patients, even though the Supreme Court has given it permission to do so. In the poll, conducted June 8-11, 68% of voters said medical marijuana patients should not be arrested, compared to just 16% who said they should.

Responses varied little by party, age, or gender, with 63% of Republicans, 73% of Democrats, and 68% of independents agreeing that medical marijuana patients should not be arrested.

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    Poll: Don't Arrest Medical Marijuana Users | 12 comments (12 topical)
    Re: Poll: Don't Arrest Medical Marijuana Users (none / 0) (#1)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:00 PM EST
    Blagh votes "No..." So if he disappears, you can look for him in "'Juan-tanamo Base..." ;-) Blagh's toast, he's gonna scram and see you all tomorrow or later this eve'... God Bless (ha ha) and take care 'til next time... Blagh

    Re: Poll: Don't Arrest Medical Marijuana Users (none / 0) (#2)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:00 PM EST
    jeralyn, sorry for being OT, but the jackson verdict is in. i'm looking forward to hearing your take on whatever goes down over the next hour or so.

    Re: Poll: Don't Arrest Medical Marijuana Users (none / 0) (#3)
    by kdog on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:00 PM EST
    So, according to this poll (granted grain of salt), Americans across the political spectrum support the sick. The big court and a majority of our elected officials do not. Logical conclusion, the pols are in somebodies pocket, big pharma perhaps? Even that doesn't make sense, as mj allows the sick to continue to take the nauseating meds of big pharma. Unless they are afraid that mj could render some of their drugs obsolete?

    Re: Poll: Don't Arrest Medical Marijuana Users (none / 0) (#4)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:00 PM EST
    Not a surprise that people don't want sick folks prosecuted-that really wasn't the point of the S.Ct. opinion, though. you have the opinion-get the legislature to act.

    Re: Poll: Don't Arrest Medical Marijuana Users (none / 0) (#5)
    by kdog on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:00 PM EST
    It may not have been point of the opinion, but it is the consequence, jailing the sick and those that help the sick. The legislature has already been bought. Since I don't have 10 grand to give to a re-election campaign, and either do the sick, nothing will change.

    Re: Poll: Don't Arrest Medical Marijuana Users (none / 0) (#6)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:00 PM EST
    while the individuals in this case were sympathetic, don't forget various articles and news videos of cannabis clubs where criteria for use seemed to be breathing. that influences the debate as well.

    Re: Poll: Don't Arrest Medical Marijuana Users (none / 0) (#7)
    by kdog on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:00 PM EST
    And some 7-11's sell beer to minors, we don't ban beer across the nation.

    Re: Poll: Don't Arrest Medical Marijuana Users (none / 0) (#8)
    by Dadler on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:00 PM EST
    Marijuana will not get a fair shake in the federal legislature of the U.S. for a long time -- mostly because of the "pothead" perception and the idea that the "freedom" will be abused (which we don't use as a criterion for booze, tobacco, high fat junk food, etc.) Thinking pot will get a fair hearing the the federal legislature evidences a willfull blindness to obvious discrimination and nonsensical prohibition. It is like thinking African-Americans would have gotten a fair shake in the mid 20th century (or even later). The Supreme Court majority in this opinion is SO disconnected from the reality of how this substance is treated that I can hardly believe it. Rule FOR patients and still invite the legislature to change the law -- the law they find UNCONSTITUTIONAL!!

    Re: Poll: Don't Arrest Medical Marijuana Users (none / 0) (#9)
    by Mreddieb on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:00 PM EST
    I seem to be getting a message here and it is......If your sick You may smoke but, don't tell. At the same time be aware you are at the mercy of the political and erratic mood of the Federal Prosecuters. Always posess the absolute minimum amount of pot. Make sure your dealer never has or carries any 'quanity' and hasn't ever been busted before. Never pass a joint. always toke alone. I'm sure they will still nab a few of you anyway just to show their in charge.

    Re: Poll: Don't Arrest Medical Marijuana Users (none / 0) (#10)
    by SeeEmDee on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:01 PM EST
    I hate to use a pop-culture analogy, but a while back, during the latest X-Men movie, a 'good' mutant is having a conversation with a member of the oppostion, an obvious mutant in her normal form who is a shapeshifter. Her childhood was anything but pleasent because of her normal appearence and as a result she had developed a literally murderous hatred of all normal humans. The 'good' mutant asks her why she doesn't stay in disguise all the time. She responds with "Because we shouldn't have to." Idiotic laws crafted by racist bigots without a single shred of scientific evidence shouldn't form the basis of national policy, but because it does, sick people are at the mercy of a demonstrably pitiless government. They 'shouldn't have to' be, either. And the upcoming vote on Hinchey/Rohrabacher is a good step in ending some of this madness. Even if it doesn't pass, the legislators that vote against it will be villified in the media; the number of editorials around the country dragging the Supremes over the coals for their decision and coming out in favor of H/R far outsrip the ones that supported the Supremes. The barely hidden machinations of the pharmaceutical companies in pressuring legislators to reciprocate for taking their campaign contributions by keeping medicinal marijuana illegal will be disclosed very obviously. It's long past time the craziness ended. This week could be the first step.

    Re: Poll: Don't Arrest Medical Marijuana Users (none / 0) (#11)
    by Dadler on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:01 PM EST
    SeeEmDee, I hope you're right about those who vote against this bill, but I doubt it. I don't see the national media going all out on medical mj, there's just no ratings in it compared to Jacko and the new Chandra Levy of Aruba.

    Re: Poll: Don't Arrest Medical Marijuana Users (none / 0) (#12)
    by SeeEmDee on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:01 PM EST
    Dadler, I'm referring to just about every editorial and public opinion poll that has been taken on the subject in just the last week. If those numbers turn into actual activism-by-phone with those folks calling their Reps, then the issue will finally get the traction it deserves. But if it doesn't...then nothing much has changed at all. But poll after poll, no matter where in the country, has shown support for this by the public-at-large. And not just by squeaking by; 80% tend to support the concept. It would be politically foolish to ignore. But then, given what's been happening in this country, with science being drowned out by superstition and ideology, I am not holding my breath.

    Poll: Don't Arrest Medical Marijuana Users | 12 comments (12 topical)