Legalize Marijuana Campaigns Have Raised $3 Million

And pro-pot ballot measures are polling well in Washington and Colorado

Washington and Colorado could be the first US states to legalize weed for everyone age 21 or older. The pro-pot campaigns in both states have raised a total of $3 million, way more than the opposition.

What are the WA and CO campaigns doing with all this cash? They're spending it on TV ads aimed at convincing the non-smoking population that smoking pot is pretty awesome, dude. And they're also targeting the less hedonistically inclined with ads that speak to the benefits of state tax revenue on marijuana sales.

If one of the states manages to legalize pot, stay tuned for federal-state conflicts, as federal drug enforcement tries to maintain national drug laws against dangerous narcotics.

Voters will weigh in on "legalize pot" ballot measures on election day in November. Polls show a small majority, 55%, back legalizing pot in Washington state. Colorado voters are 61% in favor.

Oregon also has a voter referendum on marijuana, but their ballot measure only came through in July, and the campaign has raised less than $1,000.

Via Alex Dobuzinskis, Reuters.

Do you support the legalize pot campaigns in Washington and Colorado?

[anok]

Let's see..in 1939 Popular Mechanics billed it as America's next cash crop. It would not only provide us with rope, paper, cloth, food, protein, cosmetics, fuel, etc. but its continuously recyclable, doesn't require pesticides or herbicides, grows in every climate, etc. Also, it would not only create THOUSANDS of jobs, but I am more than positive that it would help pay down things like our debt.

Not to mention that it was used and supported by our forefathers, but then again so was cocaine. I think Americans would fair a lot better with cultivating this rather than the latter.

[wild_turkey6]

A little history and information on industrialized hemp.
http://www.reuseit.com/learn-more/materials/h...

[iMacs]

You "think" without solid support for evidence. I don't mean to sound intrusive, however my doubts that marijuana can save America are high. The country isn't very intelligent anymore, sad as it may be. I feel like in order for weed to be purchased legally in the U.S, it should not be purchased freely by all people.

[norezen]

Marijuana is already the most profitable cash crop in many states in the US. Of course that might change with legalization.

[norezen]

@iMacs You do sound intrusive. I am for each individual's right to choose what they do with their bodies. It can be a smart decision or a dumb decision, but it is THEIR decision.
It seems strange to me that in the so-called land of the free that its ok to grow this but not that; to smoke this but not that; to eat this and not that. Well Mr. Allupinmybiz, who the heck asked you? I am not forcing you to drink raw milk. I'm not putting a gun to your head to force you to participate. But if you grow pot or distribute raw milk there is a decent chance someone from the government will put a gun to your head.

[paull]

It should have been done year's ago tax it.

[PoorDem]

I am a Kentucky Boy Born and raised, My Great Grandfather Grew Hemp, so my Family Supports this 100%. Marijuana laws are by far the dumbest laws on the books, all over the USA, My Dad Developed Cancer from Tobacco use, the Government Sells this to people, But you know what? Marijuana Got him thru Chemo, and saved his life!!! Which would you rather smoke?

[wild_turkey6]

Up vote for a fellow Kentuckian. Where are you from?

[Locutus]

That would be good for everyone to legalize it. The money we would make and save from he usage .The decriminalization to stop putting people in jail for non-violent crimes would help. Nobody has ever died from using it. So many things that harm the environment can be replaced by it. Maybe it would help the pillheads stay off that crap as well.

[NormalFlora]

Legalize it, get our best agrarian minds together to produce a truly mind-numbing weed, then get the Saudis hooked on it and charge them $120 a Baggie for it. Quid pro quo.

[Emerald1]

Yes, there is no earthly reason for cannabis to be illegal in the firdt place.

[ir0nw0lfe]

Who would have thought people would vote to get high?
Food for thought: http://www.ctpost.com/local/article/Yale-stud... . study suggest that marijuana user ate 250% more likey to abuse prescription drugs( opioids).

[Fishbone345]

I'm not voting to get high, nor am I Towlie as Bobo suggests. I'd like the Government to not get involved in an issue that should be left up to the States.
I agree with the repeal of Prohibition too, does that make me a drunk as well? I'd like the IRS and Income tax to go away too, am I a tax dodger now?
How about before insulting people, take a look at why they are standing for something? I'd like the Government to reduce, not grow.
Don't use a chiding argument in the place of thought and reason.

[CommonSense]

To buy marijuana you have to go to shady dealers who typically offer and try to sell you other drugs.
Legalize it and the gateway effect will disappear.

[Decent-Dissent]

Do you drink? Do you smoke? Do you fornicate? Then get off your high horse and stop telling me my buzz is illegal, immoral, or anyones business.

[ir0nw0lfe]

Anyone want to address the study? Refute it with medical evidence other than anecdotal?

I just wonder what makes everyone thinkthe govt will do a better job preventing abuse with marijuana than it does with prescription drugs?

I expect that weed will eventually be legal since so many people seem to think it is their right. This is not about medicine. It is about people having the right to use drugs because it allegedly either does no harm
or harms only themselves. Legalizing weed will not cripple the cartels. They have plenty of other drugs to sell. So I guess we get to find out how well America fares with another crutch. it would be nice to see people as passionate about real issues as they are about this one.

[Souljah]

But there are so many more other worst drugs than Mary Jane that have already been legalized with perscription use.. I mean Alcohol is already legal and more people die from that in a year than have died of marijuana use in the last 20 yrs..

[Mr-right]

I hope they do legalize it in Maryland nothing is wrong with it, you can't overdose on weed! The side effects are Hungary,happy,sleepy that's it. Weed is great

[DerivePI]

Don't forget stupid according to the latest study.

[AceLuby]

@DerivePI Yeah, that's why I know neurosurgeons, lawyers, and computer programmers who all partake... because it sure has made those people 'really' stupid. Alcohol is what you're thinking of, it actually kills brain cells.

[Mr-right]

@AceLuby alcohol is the number one killer

[AceLuby]

@Mr-right Actually tobacco is the number one killer if you're talking about people. If you're talking about brain cells, then you are correct, alcohol is #1 in that regard. Cannabis is less toxic than coffee.

[Mr-right]

@AceLuby yes your right but tobacco isn't a drug weed is so I was talking about drug wise. Alcohol is the number one killer far as drug wise. People die from tobacco more the weed. Tobacco causes cancer weed helps deal with the pain!

[CanisCanemEdit]

"The wildwood flower grew wild on the farm
And we never knowed what it was called
Some said it was a flower and some said it was weed
I didn't gave it much thought..." - Jim Stafford

[tomincali]

is the money from selling their dope?

[Wilberhum]

Decriminalization of Pot is as wise as repealing the 18th Amendment.
The criminalization of Pot and alcohol only make average citizens criminals and make it profitable for criminal organizations to fill the want.

[Gilbert]

Alcohol fueled the aggression, arrogance, and inhumanity of the settlers' occupation of the "New World" while the Native Americans passively mellowed out by smoking weed in their peace pipes and eventually became stupefied by alcohol that the settlers introduced to them while the occupants enjoyed their hemp..

[Decent-Dissent]

Its a self defeating case for the fed to call pot a "dangerous narcotic". We all know better.

[Keyjo]

Legalization of marijuana is also on the ballot here in Oregon. But I haven't really seen any ads for it yet.
Seven other states also have legal medical usage either on their ballots or before the legislature.
The problem is going to be that federal law still prohibits weed. Here in Oregon, medical marijuana has been legal for some time, but every now and then the feds come in and make an example of somebody, or locals will use the federal law to hastle somebody.

[BigD1391]

The people wanna grow it and the people wanna smoke it. Just let it happen. Let hemp run through the market and see how quick we could create real revenue.

[Righton]

YES and YES!

[SIC]

Why not?

[MellowGuy]

The law is too complicated in Washington and won't guard against abuse, so I would probably vote against it.

[CommonSense]

For someone named MellowGuy you really need to chill.
The law will guard against abuse just as well as the law saying you have to be 21 or older to drink alcohol.

[1adam2]

Albert Einstein
"Nothing is more destructive of respect for the government and the law of the land than passing laws which cannot be enforced. It is an open secret that the dangerous increase of crime in this county is closely related with this."

[FollowTheMoney]

I support legal Marijuana everywhere.