Momentum Builds for Marijuana Legalization

In a dramatic shift in public opinion, the latest poll on California's Proposition 19, which would legalize personal growth and possession of Marijuana, shows the initiative taking a slim lead with 50% of likely voters in support, 40% in opposition and 11% undecided.

This is the first poll to show a clear lead for the ballot issue and continues a remarkable trend where in the course of 3 months the poll ratings for the proposition have reversed from an early 89% opposition to this latest result showing broadening support.

Proposition 19 may be gaining legitimacy because of growing public support from a wide range of interest groups. police chiefs, sheriffs and even judges have expressed support for the measure, as have doctors groups, several city councils and even California's NAACP, which described its support as "unconditional" and said in a press release:

"We have empirical proof that the application of the marijuana laws has been unfairly applied to young people of color...We are joining a growing number of medical professionals, labor organizations, law enforcement authorities, local municipalities, and approximately 56% of the public, in saying that it is time to (depenalize) the [adult] use of marijuana.”

A study from the Rand Institute shows that legalization would drop the price of marijuana by almost 90%, effectively rendering the illegal trade in cannabis so unprofitable that the drug cartels would be put out of business.

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