U.S. Public Says Smoking Marijuana Is Morally Acceptable

The government is losing its decades long battle to demonize marijuana. Although marijuana possession for recreational use is still illegal in most states, attitudes are changing and a substantial majority of Americans (about 6 out of 10) now think marijuana use should be legal. And they no longer believe it is immoral to smoke marijuana.

The chart above is from a recent Gallup Poll -- done between May 1st and 10th of a national sample of 1,024 adults, with a 4 point margin of error.

Note that 65% of Americans say it is acceptable, while only 31% think it is wrong -- a gap of 34 points! And in nearly every demographic group between 58% and 81% say it is morally acceptable. Only one group (Conservatives) have more saying it is wrong, and that is just by two points (47% to 49%).

The attitudes of Americans are changing fast, and most people no longer believe the lies the government has fed them about marijuana. It's time for politicians to catch up with the public -- and legalize marijuana.