As California voters prepare to decide in November whether to become the first state to legalize marijuana for recreational use, a new Field Poll conducted for The Sacramento Bee reveals that weed already is deeply woven into society. Those who use the drug, and their reasons for doing it, may be as diverse as the state itself. 42% of adults who described themselves as current users in the July poll said they smoke pot to relieve pain or treat a health condition. Thirty-nine percent use it recreationally, to socialize or have fun with friends. 60% say marijuana helps them relax or sleep. 24% say it stimulates their creativity. According to there Poll of registered California voters regarding their use, experience and opinions on marijuana, a small majority of voters supports legalization. The poll is interesting because it gave voters a menu of options from which to choose their preferred marijuana policy.
Keep present laws, but make penalties less severe 13%
Legalize marijuana so it can be purchased and used by anyone 4%
Legalize marijuana with age and other controls like those for alcohol 47%
Pass new laws with even tougher penalties 14%
Strictly enforce present laws and penalties 19%
Maintaining the current marijuana policy is in fact an extreme minority position in the state. Only a third of voters supports strictly enforcing the current laws against marijuana or passing even tougher laws. Combining the small group of voters who think marijuana should be legal for everyone with those who support legalizing and regulating it like alcohol results in a total of 51% of voters supporting legalization. Combining that 51% with the 13% of voters who believe the penalties for marijuana should be reduced without legalization results in a huge majority of the state either supporting significantly relaxing California’s current marijuana laws or legalization. Interestingly, the percentage of voters who support legalizing marijuana, 51%, is almost identical to but slightly larger than the 47% of voters who have admitted to using marijuana at least once in their life.
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