Pubdate: Mon, 11 Nov 2013
Source: Central Michigan Life (Central MI U, MI Edu)
Copyright: 2013 Central Michigan Life
Contact:  http://www.cm-life.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2808
Author: Wyatt Bush
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?275 (Cannabis - Michigan)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?253 (Cannabis - Medicinal - U.S.)

MAJORITY OF AMERICANS SUPPORT MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION

Americans seem to be in favor of marijuana legalization for the first
time since polling began on the issue.

A recent Gallup poll found that 58 percent of Americans favored
legalizing the drug, a 32 percent increase in support since 2009.

Student Advocates for Medical and Recreational Cannabis President Ian
Elliot said he was not shocked by these figures.

"As more people find more uses for marijuana, more people know about
it and it becomes more acceptable," said the Cheboygan freshman.

Elliot added anything that can decrease government spending while
increasing revenue, such as legalizing and taxing marijuana, is likely
gain traction with the American public.

"(The polling trends) show that laws are going to continue to change,
and hopefully we can get some change in the federal law, as well," he
said. "The federal government is wasting its time when it could be
dealing with hard drugs, drug cartels and other criminal enterprises.
There are many law-abiding citizens who are breaking the law simply by
possession, and it's a little disingenuous."

The Gallup poll found that 35 percent of Republicans, 65 percent of
Democrats and 62 percent of independents support marijuana
legalization.

College Republicans Student Government Association Representative
Casey Kreiner said there is a divide within the Republican Party on
the issue of marijuana reform.

Regardless, he said he believed Republicans are unified in the belief
that legalization is essentially a secondary issue.

"The Republican Party does have some debate and discussion on
marijuana legalization, but I feel there's a more general focus on
economic issues and solving those issues," the Houghton Lake junior
said. "We mostly want to make this country competitive again on an
economic scale."

College Democrats Executive Vice President Candace Grooms said if
marijuana were to be legalized, proper precautions and regulations
should be put in place.

"The legalization of marijuana, with any other substance the
government declares legal, would have to be regulated to ensure safety
of the American people," Grooms said. "Marijuana, if legalized, will
have a negative effect on society if precautions and necessary steps
are not taken."

The democratic process should prevail on marijuana legalization
initiatives, Grooms said. She cited 17 states as having marijuana
decriminalization laws through ballot measures.

"If the citizens favor marijuana legalization, then the proper steps
should be able to be taken to implement the law through a ballot
proposal," Grooms said.

Voters in Jackson, Lansing and Ferndale all passed measures this month
decriminalizing small amounts of marijuana with at least 60 percent of
the public's support.

However, the conflict between local, federal and state laws
remains.

Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette said he would ignore any
city-passed marijuana legalization/decriminalization initiative and
enforce state and federal laws, which take precedence.

Although the majority of Americans support marijuana legalization,
reform measures may not be arriving soon for Michiganders.

Political Science Department Chair Lawrence Sych said based on
Michigan's experience with medical marijuana, he did not anticipate
any measures for legalization in the near future.

Sych said the only measures he expected to see passed by Michigan's
legislature would be efforts to clarify medical marijuana.

"One of the issues is the obtaining of medical marijuana," Sych said.
"It's kind of a gray area of where you can get this, who the
caregivers are and how much can you purchase from caregivers."

Sych said repeal of Michigan's current marijuana laws anytime soon is
extremely unlikely.

"Because (marijuana legalization) was adopted through an initiative
process, the legislature would need a supermajority vote to make
changes," Sych said. "I don't think there would be that kind of
support for reversing it."
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MAP posted-by: Matt