Marijuana-related initiatives are likely to increase voter turnout, according to polling data released by George Washington University.
Nearly four out of ten participants in the nationwide survey said that they would be “much more likely” to go to the polls if an initiative seeking to legalize marijuana appeared on the ballot. An additional 30 percent of respondents said that they would be “somewhat” more likely to participate in an election that also included a marijuana-specific ballot measure.
Presently, two statewide cannabis reform measures have qualified to appear on the 2014 ballot. Alaska voters will decide whether to allow for the commercial production, retail sale, and use of cannabis by those over age 21. The measure will appear on the August 19 primary ballot. According to the results of a February Public Policy Polling survey, 55 percent of registered Alaska voters “think (that) marijuana should be legally allowed for recreational use, that stores should be allowed to sell it, and that its sales should be taxed and regulated similarly to alcohol.”
Florida voters in November will decide on a measure to allow for the use and dispensing of marijuana by those who are authorized by their physician to engage in cannabis therapy. Survey data released in November by Quinnipiac University reported that 82 percent of Florida voters support reforming state law to allow for the medicinal use of marijuana.
Several proposed ballot measures to regulate the production and sale of marijuana for adults also are pending in Oregon. All of these measures are still in the signature-gathering phase.
A very, very good sign indeed.
How do we get it on the Illinois ballot forNovember vote? Was passed for medical use but, so far not sure when we can get it. Husband has Chrones and a disability from Vietnam. I have Fibormyalgia and not able to take the medications on the market. Can you help?
[Paul Armentano responds: Illinois medical marijuana act was enacted legislatively, not by a citizens initiative. The law allows for the physician-authorized recommendation of cannabis therapy for various qualifying conditions, including fibromyalgia and Crohns: http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/98/PDF/098-0122.pdf%5D
Pa is working on it (HB 1181, medical, and HB 1182, recreational). Would it help and/or is it possible to get it placed on the ballot?
[Paul Armentano responds: Pennsylvania does not have a citizen’s ballot initiative process. Therefore, any law change must be legislative. NORML and our state affiliates are working with lawmakers in Pennsylvania in support of pending reform bills, which are summarized here: http://norml.org/act.%5D
I want to help in PA.
The only way I’m voting is if somebody wants to legalize it. Why should I participate if the government doesn’t even respect the will of the people.
It should be legalized in every state, can you imagine the revenue that the united states could make off on it so they could fix the budget for this country
There would be more voters that show up to vote cause its a very popular subject on alot of the publics minds right now
New York State Department of Health still has nothing on their web site in regards to Gov. Cuomo’s (D) medical marijuana program. His unworkable policy looks like a failed attempt to pass something to shut New Yorker’s up while he runs for re-election this November.
Rob Astorino (R) who is running against Cuomo has stated he is willing to discuss legalization. We only have into June for the medical and legalization bills to go up for vote in front of the State Senate. After June they recess and won’t discuss this again until 2015.
We the people want action not inaction. Look at how our government shut down last year, what the hell are our politicians doing?
Send a letter, email, phone call or anything to put pressure on the state who should put pressure on our President. Reschedule cannabis and get hemp off the dangerous substance list.Otherwise I’ll take my chances with a republican governor.
You have until June New York, otherwise keep arresting blacks at a far more disproportionate rate than whites. Withold medicine from the sick,and keep our New York money going to the black market while watching Colorado run out of places to stick their cash. All taxed and legal with our presidents approval.
Good!
The smart politicians will be supporting legalization measures, because that’s what the people want. Their votes will flow accordingly.
In Florida we need a 60% super-majority to pass Amendment 2 this November. If you are in Florida and you don’t vote because of some point of principle, you will be very disappointed if we don’t pass this. Every vote counts in this election. There’s no Electoral College in a statewide election.
Vote Yes on 2.
I would vote and I haven” voted in over 10 years
This could be an opportunity of a lifetime.
Ha hooo! Medical marijuana is going to bring out young voters in droves, no doubt! Between this and the LGBT movement, young people are going to make serious change. It’s up to us ha hoooo! I’ll bet we see record numbers of voters among people 18-25!
I RECEIVED ANOTHER GOVERNMENT SUPPORT REQUEST IN BY EMAIL TODAY. I CALLED THE SUPPORT COMMITEE AND LET OT MY FRUSTRATIONS. THEN REQUESTED THE ADDRESS FOR THE WASHINGTON, D.C. MAIN SUPPORT OFFICE. I INTENDED TO WRITE A NOTE, BUT FRUSTRATION LED TO THE FOLLOWING LETTER:
THE HARDEST CRACKDOWN ON MARIJUANA CULTIVATION HAS BEEN CONDUCTED OVER THE LAST 6 YEARS. I HAVE SUPPORTED THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IN MOST ISSUES, HOWEVER, THIS IS NOT ONE OF THOSE ISSUES. THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA PRESCRIBED , AND I DO PREFER, IS BEING GROWN WITH A DAILY THREAT OF SEIZURE. MY PAIN FROM WOUNDS SUSTAINED IN MILITARY HAVE RESULTED IN A 100% DISABILITY, ARE COMPLETELY DISREGARDED BY A POSSE OF FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS.
THE SUSTAINABLE MEDICATION, DESIRED AND PREFERRED BY MILLIONS, HAS BEEN CLASSIFIED AS A CLASS 1 NARCOTIC. HOW MARIJUANA CAN BE REFERRED TO AS A CLASS 1 NARCOTIC, IS TRULY MIND-BOGGLING TO ME. THE AMAZING CULTIVATORS OF A LIFE SAVING “WEED” ARE THREATENED WITH INCARCERATION. INCARCERATION FOR SAVING A LIFE??
THE SUPERIOR CRAFTSMANSHIP OF THE CULTIVATORS, SHOULD BE PRAISED AT NOTHING LESS THAN A SPECIALIST. THEY ARE PHYSICIANS AND ARTISTS WITHOUT DEGREES. MANY CULTIVATORS ARE TRULY ARE PHYSICIANS. THEY’RE ABLE TO PINPOINT AND SUGGEST NOT JUST A TYPE, BUT A DEFINITIVE STRAIN TO RELIEVE A PARTICULAR AILMENT. IN SOME CASES THAT STRAIN HAS HALTED THE PROGRESSION OF THE ILLNESS, NATURALLY.
MARIJUANA CULTIVATORS HAVE LEFT MANY A DEGREED PHYSICIAN IN AWE. I F NOT FOR THE AVAILABILITY OF MARIJUANA IN VIETNAM, MANY OF THE MEN THAT MADE IT HOME, WOULD NOT HAVE.
THE SYNTHETIC PRESCRIBED DRUGS LEAVE PATIENTS IN A STATE WORSE THAN WHEN THEY BEGAN, AND PROVIDE LITTLE TO NO RELIEF. MARIJUANA HAS NEVER BEEN KNOW TO HURT, ONLY HELP EVERYONE ASSOCIATED WITH ITS CULTIVATION. ADDITIONALLY, THE COST FOR THE SYNTHETIC DRUGS ARE SO HIGHLY PRICED MOST CITIZENS HAVE NO CHANCE OF EVER OBTAINING.
IF ABLE TO OBTAIN, EVEN IF INSURED, A MIDDLE CLASS HOUSEHOLD IS LEFT WITHOUT FUNDS TO SUSTAIN MINIMUM DAILY NEEDS. IMAGINE THE DESPERATION OF A FAMILY AT , OR SCALING ABOVE POVERTY LEVEL. THEIR HOPES OF SAVING A FAMILY MEMBER ARE DASHED, TRYING TO OBTAIN THE EVERMORE DANGEROUS SYNTHETIC DRUGS.
FORCING THE USE OF DEBILITATING SYNTHETIC DRUGS WITH HORRID SIDE EFFECTS, IS MORE LUCRATIVE THAN THE SALE OF MARIJUANA. HIGH-PRICED, EXTREMELY HARMFUL SYNTHETIC DRUGS, ARE APPROVED BY THE FDA EVERYDAY. PHARMACEUTICAL AND OIL COMPANIES PURCHASE MANY FEDERAL OFFICIALS, WHICH IN TURN PURCHASE MANY STATE OFFICIALS. TRICKLE DOWN FACT, NOT THEORY, AT ITS FINEST!
FORTUNATELY, NOT EVERY STATE OFFICIAL IS IN THE POCKET OF BIG BUSINESSES. YES, THERE ARE COUNTIES THAT SELL LICENSES TO CULTIVATORS. HOWEVER, WHAT THOSE CARING COUNTIES ARE PROVIDING, IS THE ABILITY TO CULTIVATE A LIVES.
WHO WOULD DENY LIFE TO THEIR LOVED ONE?
WHAT PARENT WOULD NOT DO, WHATEVER IT TAKES TO PROVIDE RELIEF TO THEIR CHILD?
WHO CARES THERE MAY BE FINANCIAL BENEFITS. ISN’T PROVIDING FINANCIAL STABILITY THE AMERICAN WAY?
SOME CARELESS FEW HARM MARIJUANA , BUT MARIJUANA, HAS NEVER HARMED EVEN A FEW. IN THE CASE OF MARIJUANA CULTIVATION, THE END RESULTS, ALWAYS OUT WAYS THE MEANS!!
WHEN THE FEDERAL AND STATE DOGS ARE CALLED OFF OF MARIJUANA CULTIVATORS, THEN LOOK FOR MY SUPPORT.
Cannabis’ benefits are measured in many different ways. Voters impacts are easily skewed when you surrender your civil liberties for fear of terrorism.
All of the medical marijuana states are either East coast, West coast, nothing in the center of the country!!!! We want it TOOOOO!! How about the TN House Bill 1385 and Senate Bill 2451? On the NORMAL website I sent in the comment to my TN Rep. Bill Sanderson. Haven’t seen anything else on this website…..I have Neuropathy, Have tried a few different pain meds and cannabis helps so much better.. and can still maintain. Would love to see legalization in my lifetime….medical & recreational!!!! Would give up my cigarettes for marijuana!!! our kids can get to them and our liquor cabinets!!!! LETS SEND A GIANT WAVE ACROSS THIS COUNTRY OF OUT CRY FOR LEGALIZATION>>>>
Would love to have medical marijuana in TN. Sent in my comment from NORMAL to my TN Rep. Bill Sanderson, HB 1385 & SB 2451, What’s happening with them? anyone know? Would love to see medical and recreational in MY LIFETIME! Have severe neuropathy in my hands & feet. I have tried several pain meds. Cannabis is so much more pain relieving. So many people say that our KIDS with be able to get this…Don’t they already SMOKE OUR CIGARETTES & DRINK OUR LIQUOR?????? Tax marijuana, open up the BANKS for business,& GIVE THE PEOPLE THEIR PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS! >BLUE< LET ME HEAR YOUR COMMENT!
@Ruby, my comment is: I’m concerned that you refer to “my cigarettes” and “our cigarettes”– maybe even that extreme H-or B-urning O-verdose M-onoxide format is comforting to you in some way that makes it hard to “give up”– how about SWITCH? Can you afford a VAPORIZER?
Another option is a cheap handmade SINGLE TOKE UTENSIL with a long drawtube attached which you can use for 25-mg VAPED servings– BOTH of cannabis and tobacco– instead of a 500-mg joint or 700-mg $igarette. And teach friends– education is the key.
Concerning safety of kids– think SUBSTITUTION of cannabis for $igarettes (6,000,000 deaths a year) AND alcohol (2,500,000 deaths a year).
Marijuana is proven to increase the voter turnout, in case the Democratic Party is interested in winning elections.
@ASIA LOVE – I tried to read your post but just can’t do it since it is in all caps. That really hurts my eyes…
This is off topic but needs to be shared among all stoner fans of Cosmos!!!
http://www.thecannabist.co/2014/03/28/see-neil-degrasse-tyson-watch-himself-in-stoned-slow-motion-video/8128/
I want to thank Norml, and our allies in other organizations; the ACLU, DPA, SSDP, and all the activists known and unknown who have helped make this great time possible.
Has anyone been following the move from the State Department to train and deploy DPS to foreign countries to fight in the drug war? I get that law enforcement is gearing up asset forfeitures while they still last. But could this be a move among the Federal Government to get drug policing out of the domestic tangles of the Department of Justice and contracted internationally out of the State Department?
Also, what is the news on the Department of Health and Human Services authorizing the FDA to research medicinal marijuana?
Cuomo is a terrible failure ! He doesn’t care about the people in pain & suffering ! I rather vote for a potted plant than this crook cuomo !
New York Politicans have no compassion. Shame on them. Shame on us if we continue to keep them in office.
Cannabis voter initiatives will increase voter turnout. Like how the civil rights legislation increase voter turnouts.