Where is data that might confirm/deny a gradual public opinion trend toward marijauan legalization?

Question

In November of this year, three states voted not to legalize marijuana -- Colorado, Nevada, and South Dakota. My question is, is there evidence to show that a trend will eventually sway public opinion over the 50% mark? I'm looking for data that shows that either public opinion is not moving, or, if it is, when will a majority support legalization?

Where can I find that kind of data?

Answer 1

http://www.pollingreport.com/drugs.htm

You have to keep other factors in mind... like the fact that many people who support the legalization of marijuana for recreational use can't vote because they have committed the felony crime of selling drugs to their friends. this means their opinions won't be reflected in polls, votes, or legislation... and because of the stigma of marijuana, many people are against its legalization for medical use simply because they oppose its recreational use, or hippies or liberals or whatever in general. also keep in mind that not many people actually vote. so until that changes, don't expect to see changes on marijuana. I think the percentage of people in the U.S. who don't have a problem with marijuana is higher than the percentage of voters who don't have a problem with marijuana. if you don't smoke marijuana and don't think it should be illegal you're not going to work too hard to change it because it doesn't affect you, and if you don't automatically think that anything you don't do is bad, you probably don't have much place in divisive american politics, and are probably too apathetic or disgusted by politics to vote anyway.

For example, look how many respondents say they've tried marijuana at least once. It's much lower, theoretically, than the number of people who have tried it, because it's only among registered voters... just the difference between how many people have tried marijuana and how many registered voters have tried it is evidence that it is an issue which has little to do with the real national trends, only with the trends of voters, which of course is why public policy concerning marijuana may differ from what people who don't or can't vote may want. of course their opinion doesn't count in a democracy.

Answer 2

South Dakota Initiative 4: Allow Medical Marijuana
No 173,184 52% -- Yes 157,945 48%

Nevada Question 7:Legalize Marijuana
No 320,854 56% -- Yes 252,776 44%

Colorado Amendment 44:Legalize Marijuana
No 819,579 60% -- Yes 557,758 40%

People will support marijuana legalization when the f@cking wake up

Answer 3

Follow the money, tax money that is. If it every gets legalized that will be the reason for it, certainly not for medicinal purposes or to benefit mankind. The far left liberals just might do it too, their standards are so much lower then most and they do love that word "tax". Alcohol at least is a food product and is metabolized in the body producing energy with the excess being passed out of the body. Continued and sustained use of marijuana leads to delusions and pathological thinking. Do these sound like good reasons to legalize this drug? I think not.