Public Support for Legalization Reaches 50 Percent

Public Support for Legalization Reaches 50 Percent

According to a recent poll, half of the American population is now in full support of marijuana legalization. This number marks a historical record and comes after an increasingly large movement toward decriminalization.

While many people have supported decriminalization in the past, they have refrained from supporting full legalization. We see a shift in this trend now from a Gallup poll that was released on Monday.

The poll broke participants into age groups, finding that the most support comes from liberals and young adults under the age of 30. These groups scored 60 percent in support of legalization, while the lowest support rate, 31 percent, came from adults over the age of 65.

This poll shows more than growing support, it shows the atmosphere of the future. Younger generations are finding their voice and coming into positions of power, so it is only a matter of time before their opinions become majority opinions.

According to Gallup, this poll differs greatly from similar ones in the past. A poll from 1969 showed only 12 percent in support of legalizing marijuana, while that number rose to 30 percent in 2000, and then 40 percent in 2009. Just two years later it has risen another 14 percent, offering a light at the end of the tunnel for marijuana supporters.

The final tally of the poll shows an average of 54 percent in support of legalization, with 46 percent remaining in favor of criminalization. While this can hardly be called an extreme majority, it is certainly a majority and worth recognizing.

While marijuana is still considered a harmful narcotic under federal law, state laws represent the shift in perspective toward compassionate care, rather than ignorant prohibition. With support continuing to rise, however, it is only a matter of time before the federal government must change their books to match the will of the people.