A Rising Tide For Marijuana Legalization

The chart above (from Talking Points Memo) is a combination of many polls since 1995. It should come as no surprise that since that time the support for same-sex marriage has grown (especially in the last decade) while opposition to it has now dramatically fallen -- and now the supporters outnumber those opposed by a significant margin in every poll. It may take a little bit longer, but the national legalization of same-sex marriage seems unstoppable.

But what many people may not realize is that the legalization of marijuana has been on a very similar path in the polls to same-sex marriage approval. Both had less than 30% support back in 1995, and while same sex marriage is now approved of by a majority the support for marijuana legalization is currently approved of by an equal percentage to those opposing it. Clearly the momentum is on the side of legalization, and it would be very surprising if it wasn't approved by a majority in another two to three years (especially since two states have now legalized it).

More and more people realize every day that they have been lied to by the government. Marijuana is not the dangerous drug they have been told it is. In fact, it is one of the safest drugs (if the gentle herb should even be called a drug) there is -- much safer than many other drugs that are legal (such as tobacco, alcohol, and over-the-counter medications).

The legalization of marijuana is coming, whether the federal government likes it or not. It's time for them to stop trying to enforce the ridiculous and archaic marijuana laws. It's time to stop making criminals out of decent, non-violent, hard-working, tax-paying, fun-loving Americans.