For over four decades Gallup has asked Americans if marijuana should be legalized. On Monday, Gallup published their latest findings with 50 percent of Americans approving of its legalization and 46 percent disapproving.
It was the first time a majority has approved of legalizing the drug since Gallup began asking in 1969.
Barry Schmidt, Prevention Specialist at the Bay County Prevention Network warns of the consequences of legalizing marijuana, likening the legalization of marijuana to the repeal of alcohol prohibition, causing an increase in crime.
"The problems with alcohol are just as rampant today, if not more rampant," he said. "With legalizing marijuana, that would cause the same kinds of issues."
According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health in 2009 marijuana was found to be the most prevalent illegal drug in use.
Support for legalizing marijuana decreases with age: 62 percent of ages 18 to 29 approve of legalizing marijuana, ages 50 to 64 approve by 49 percent and ages over 65 approve of legalization by only 31 percent. As a whole, the Midwest approve of legalization by 54 percent.
Opposition to legalization was highest at 85 percent in 1969, when Gallup first began asking the question. Since then, approval for legalizing the drug has slowly climbed.
James Denson, 30, who helps to run Earth Oddities, located at 808 N. Euclid Ave., said he's cautious of outright legalizing marijuana. He's said he'd be concerned of court systems clogged by appeals if it were legalized. However, Denson, like 70 percent of Americans surveyed last year, said doctors should be able to prescribe the drug to patients.
"As a whole, yeah," he said. "It'll be a lot easier for the people who need it to get it."
Delta College will be hosting State officials for a medical marijuana Wednesday at 6:30 p.m in the Delta College Lecture Theater. The free event is open to the general public.
http://www.mlive.com/news/bay-city/index.ssf/2011/10/record_high_50_percent_of_amer.html
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