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An Overwhelming majority of Connecticut voters support both legalizing medical marijuana and the decriminalization of possession of small amounts, according to a recent Quinnipiac poll.
There is a proposal in the state legislature that would decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana. Low-level marijuana users would be punished with a fine, instead of a criminal charge. Do you think this is a good idea or a bad idea?
65% good idea
32 Bad idea
3 DK/NA
There is a proposal in the state legislature that would allow adults to legally use marijuana for medical purposes if their doctor prescribes it. Do you think this is a good idea or a bad idea?
79% good idea
17 Bad idea
3 DK/NA
While support for both medical marijuana and decriminalization was strongest among young people, and Democratic support for the changes was remarkably strong across the board, a majority of Republicans, Independents, and every age group in the poll thought the legal changes would be a good idea.
This poll should be a helpful boost to Governor Dan Malloy (D), who is actively pushing both to legalize medical marijuana and reduce the penalty for minor cannabis possession to a small fine. With a state legislature also controlled by Democrats, there is a good chance both reforms will happen during Malloy’s first term.
Unfortunately, Quinnipiac didn’t ask voters how they felt about actually legalizing and regulating marijuana, but given the strong support for decriminalization and the overall national trend on legalization, I wouldn’t be surprised if there was already majority support for such a move in Connecticut.
12 Comments
Good.
excellent news!!!
If Quinnipiac did the polling, I have to think the pro decriminalization numbers are somewhat higher than they are reporting.
I think cannabis ballot measures stand a pretty good chance this cycle. There should be increased turnout due to the Presidential election, public opinion continues to drift this way, and the overt fascist agenda of the Republicans can only improve turnout among the young voters. The presence of a ballot measure will, in turn, attract young voters to the polls. I hope many states have them.
Concur. Just decriminalize it already. After the Cheese Heads retake their state government, it ought to be interesting to see what Wisconsin does with this.
Connecticut sounds like my kind of place…Denver’s already awash in hi-grade since the MM biz took off.
Are you aware of Colorado’s Legalize 2012 initiative?
How soon before O’s goons step into CT to stop any measures to reduce penalties on MJ.
Never understood the animus toward medical weed, especially for pain relief. Some poor schlub is in agony, he should be able to grow it in his bathroom if he wants, for cripes sake.
Decriminalization is actually preferable to legalization in my book as you don’t get into all the regulatory garbage which is frequently more punitive than the current status quo. CA’s prop 15 for instance made felonies out of a whole range of cannabis offenses that are currently only misdemeanors or civil offenses. Some really outrageously regressive stuff too. Any likely legalization initiative will likely be loaded down with tons of similar stupid and toxic add-ons.
Of course with legalization you can potentially see big public revenue upsides you won’t with decriminalization.
Still, the 5 dollar maximum ticket for up to a few mature plants is the best option in the real world. Keep it illegal, just so slightly illegal it isn’t worth the police’s time unless you have truckloads.
I always thought The Gilmore Girls would have been more realistic if Lorelei had smoked up. I mean really, someone that loquacious, it only stands to reason.
Really good news even though the damage by the WOD will never be undone. But it doesn’t have to continue.