Poll finds for first time, majority in Calif. support legal marijuana

http://rawstory.com/08/blog/2009/05/05/poll-finds-for-first-time-majority-in-calif-support-legal-marijuana/

A recent Field Research Corporation poll of Californians found, for the first time ever, a majority in the state support legalizing marijuana and taxing it similarly to alcohol.

The poll (PDF link), an “independent and non-partisan survey,” centered mostly on tax issues. Results were culled from the answers of 901 registered California voters, with a margin of error of +/- 3.4 percent.

“Three in four support increasing two so-called “sin taxes” - the state tobacco tax and the state alcohol tax. Majorities also endorse several other forms of sin taxes that are not currently taxes, including a special tax on the sale of pornography, which an overwhelming 80% support, and legalizing marijuana and taxing its proceeds, supported by 56%,” the poll found.

California Assemblyman Tom Ammiano, of San Francisco, introduced legislation in February which would legalize marijuana for recreational use and tax its sale.

“With the state in the midst of an historic economic crisis, the move towards regulating and taxing marijuana is simply common sense,” Ammiano said. “This legislation would generate much needed revenue for the state, restrict access to only those over 21, end the environmental damage to our public lands from illicit crops, and improve public safety by redirecting law enforcement efforts to more serious crimes.”

He called the plant the state’s “leading cash crop” and said the tax could easily generate $1.5 billion in tax revenue the first year, if not more. Ammiano added that advocacy agencies have credibly placed the annual value of marijuana sales in California at or above $14 billion.

At a recent Q&A, President Barack Obama mocked a question regarding marijuana legalization as a strategy to grow the U.S. economy. However, in 2004, Obama spoke favorably of decriminalization.

Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) introduced a bill in late March which aims to establish a presidential commission to study prison reforms and drug criminalization and make recommendations to Congress after 18 months.

Senator Webb’s bill is backed by Senator Arlen Specter (D-PA) and has reportedly received “quiet encouragement from President Barack Obama.”