Only about half U.S. states have legalized marijuana, despite 59% majority favoring this

[Multicolored Lemur]

Americans overwhelmingly say marijuana should be legal for medical or recreational use

With more states authorizing the use of marijuana, the public continues to favor legalizing it for medical and recreational purposes.

www.pewresearch.org

Please notice that 30% favor legal only for medicinal use.

So, just like with universal health care, there’s a difference on how to do the policy.

 

[AgnosticBoy]

Good topic!

I'm for marijuana legalization for medical and recreational use. However, I am against smoked marijuana due to the lung damage that smoke can cause.

I read through the article to find how the differences broke down across political party lines. Just as I suspected, a majority of Republicans were against legalizing marijuana (i.e. only 45% of Republicans are for it). That's a small majority though. I suspect much of not wanting it has to do with ignorance about the drug.

Wasn't that during the Superbowl last year? Haha!


Happy New Year, Lemur!

 

[Multicolored Lemur]

Happy New Year, Lemur!

Happy New Year to you, too!

For balance, I rather feel I ought to play the role of Ward Cleaver from the TV show “Leave It To Beaver” . . .

And point out that weed ain’t legal yet!

* although Delta-8 edibles might be close across all 50 states.

 

[AgnosticBoy]

I believe that marijuana should be legalized, but I think there needs to be a way to regulate how much a person should smoke or consume in any other way.

I have had friends that say smoking pots helps them with stress, but then they smoke all the time. So i wonder if it's really stress or just the liking of staying high all day or it's just following what's cool and popular. To me, smoking all day is like drinking all day. I think both can lead to impairment, probably happens faster with alcohol than marijuana.

I'd like to see more on this:

Though 33 states have changed their laws regarding marijuana, it’s still illegal everywhere to drive impaired by the drug. According to studies, marijuana can slow your reaction time, impair judgment of distance, and decrease coordination, which are essential when you’re behind the wheel of a vehicle.

Source: https://www.nhtsa.gov/drug-impaired-driving/understanding-how-marijuana-affects-driving


Started a discussion here:

Thread 'Can marijuana leave you under the influence? If so, why legalize it?'

Mar 7, 2025

Marijuana is relatively popular, esp. among the younger crowd. Plenty of celebrities show it off.

But I question if those that want it legalized are also for regulating the amounts that someone can consume. For instance, someone can be under the influence of alcohol, and so we regulate how much someone can drink if they are going to be outdoors or plan on driving. Should we think the same about pot?


For Discussion:
1. Can marijuana impair decision-making? Can you be under the influence?
2. If so, shouldn't a limit on how much to consume be part of legalizing marijuana? Do...

• AgnosticBoy
• Replies: 0
• Forum: Domestic Policy