Big changes in public opinion on marijuana

In recent years, polls have indicated that attitudes toward marijuana are becoming more relaxed. Currently, there are 14 states in the U.S. that have adopted legal protections for patients whose doctors recommend the medical use of the drug.

Studies show that areas of the country that have decriminalized marijuana possession have not seen a corresponding increase in use.

The Washington Post recently reported on how rapidly public opinion is changing in regard to legalizing marijuana. A Gallup poll in October found 44 percent of Americans favor full legalization of marijuana, which is a rise of 13 points since 2000. Gallup said that if public support continues growing at a rate of 1 to 2 percent per year, “the majority of Americans could favor legalization of the drug in as little as four years.”

In the West, a 53 percent majority already favors the legalization of pot, and California’s Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger encourages the debate because he believes taxing the drug can lead to a potential revenue of 1.3 billion dollars in a recession.

I talk about how public opinion polls are changing in the broadcast below.