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* Let’s revisit the crosstabs of the recent Paul Simon Institute poll which found that 66 percent of Illinoisans support legalizing “recreational marijuana if taxed and regulated like alcohol.”
It turns out that every demographic but one supported legalization. Even folks you wouldn’t normally think would be in favor are in support, according to the poll. Conservatives (51 percent), Republicans (52 percent) and those 66 and older (51 percent) all want to legalize it.
* The only demographic to oppose legalization? According to the poll, 52 percent of born again Christians said they were against legalization, but 44 percent supported it and 32 percent strongly supported it.
However, 58 percent of self-identified born again Christians said they favored decriminalization. Just 38 percent were opposed.
We have decrim now. The sky hasn’t fallen. Decriminalization helps consumers, but the distribution networks are controlled by criminals, and some of those criminals are quite violent. So it’s time to take the next step.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 12:38 pm
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The green is natural and the man up stairs made it. Not saying I support it though….
Comment by Rocky Rosi Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 12:47 pm
It remains strange that so many politicians are so far behind the people on this.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 12:48 pm
@Wordslinger,
It almost seems like our elected representatives are failing in their jobs to represent their constituents.
Comment by Kevin Highland Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 12:54 pm
Genesis: 1:12 The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.
Comment by frisbee Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 12:56 pm
I think the support numbers would go up if the criminal enterprise factor was referenced in a poll. Those of us growing up in the 80’s just picture drug runners smuggling cocaine into Florida a la Miami Vice and think those are the bad guys, but reality is they are the same guys bringing in pot.
Comment by Swift Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 12:57 pm
Genisis 1: 11 Then God said, “Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.” And it was so. 12 The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.
Comment by Johnnie F. Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 1:06 pm
A bunch of old stoners pining for what may yet come.
Comment by Touré's Latte Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 1:09 pm
The guys who don’t believe science are against legalization? Sound endorsement
Comment by Rogue Roni Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 1:11 pm
“It remains strange that so many politicians are so far behind the people on this.”
I can’t think of another issue out there that polls so well, yet neither of the two major parties will touch it.
According to the Simon poll, 80% of respondents under 50 said they supported this. 80%! That is a lot of brownie points up for grabs.
You’d think one of the two parties would be smart enough to grab on to this issue nationwide, particularly as we move towards the 2020 redistricting races…
Comment by sulla Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 1:13 pm
One other demographic remains opposed: GOP legislators and governors. Most Republican legislators voted against the medical marijuana bill for crying out loud.
Comment by anon2 Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 1:18 pm
– neither of the two major parties will touch it. –
In the days of “Gotcha” politics, no one wants to give the other side fodder for campaign mailers.
Comment by Bazinga Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 1:20 pm
Remember Rauner is going for broke
He won’t accept any revenue coming in no matter what.
Revenue ruins the plan
1 Buy it
2 Break it
3 sell it.
Not fund it
Comment by Honeybear Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 1:26 pm
It should be noted that the production and distribution of illegal weed is already a huge biz across the Bible Belt (your guy might say Sonoma, more likely eastern Kentucky or Tennessee).
Speaking of, if you want to see some real government regulation of business, try opening a distillery producing anything called “Kentucky Bourbon” or “Tennessee
Whiskey.”
Those state governments will tell you exactly how to run your business before you can put their names on your shine. It’s called protecting brand equity.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 1:26 pm
Born again Christians oppose it, not because they believe Marijuana is bad per se, but because it might lead to dancing.
Comment by Sir Reel Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 1:28 pm
God created many plants that are poisonous to humans if mishandled. Genesis is not a strong argument for legalisation.
I want State control of distribution and advertising. I believe strongly in the power of the free market. It will find a way to encourage consumption, just as it has with tobacco.
I support controlled legalisation but not the encouragement of consumption. Marijuana has some downsides.
Comment by Last Bull Moose Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 1:34 pm
Come on dudes, just legalize it already!
Comment by Amalia Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 1:47 pm
They forgot to poll the liquor industry.
Comment by lake county democrat Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 1:57 pm
I mean it’s a weed, it grows wild in nature (and some people’s basements).
Comment by Gruntled University Employee Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 2:23 pm
Legalize it, there a some very thirsty pension funds to be funded with taxpayer cash.
Comment by Ron Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 2:29 pm
You have to ignore those of science and the professional the Behavioral Health to legalize pot who have said pot is a disaster for kids and families. Then get distracted from the huge cost to society of programs to fix the problems of both Alcohol and Drugs, to make a few hundred million dollars taxing pot.
Comment by Holy not rollin Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 2:43 pm
Well, Holy, let’s ban alcohol. It’s every bit as bad for families and pot. Probably worse.
Comment by Cheryl44 Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 2:55 pm
Some form of legal distribution of marijuana is better than the current illegal system. That does not make marijuana safe as spinach. We should think through how to manage the downside.
Comment by Last Bull Moose Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 3:41 pm
“It’s every bit as bad as alcohol”…
What a compelling argument for legalization! /snark
Comment by Saluki Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 4:20 pm
The other demographic opposed to marijuana legalization: Big Pharma.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/07/13/one-striking-chart-shows-why-pharma-companies-are-fighting-legal-marijuana/?utm_term=.2976bc99dac0
Comment by Scamp640 Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 8:39 pm
The creator made a mistake that only prohibition will fix. So much for being perfect
Comment by Rabid Wednesday, Apr 5, 17 @ 6:43 am
Even hemlock has medical propertys
Comment by Rabid Wednesday, Apr 5, 17 @ 7:20 am
I’ll bet that’s why nobody made the argument upon which your straw-man is premised.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Wednesday, Apr 5, 17 @ 7:51 am