Thursday, February 19th, 2009 at 9:13 am | By: "Radical" Russ
San Francisco, CA: A majority of west coast voters support regulating the sale of marijuana in a manner similar to alcohol, according to national poll of 1,053 likely voters by Zogby International and commissioned by California NORML and Oaksterdam University.
Fifty-eight percent of respondents residing on the west coast agree that cannabis should be "taxed and legally regulated like alcohol and cigarettes." Only thirty-six percent of west coast respondents oppose regulating the sale of marijuana for adults.
Nationally, support for taxing and regulating cannabis stands at 44 percent. Among likely voters on the east coast, 48 percent endorse legalizing marijuana. Respondents' support fell to approximately 37 percent in the southern and central regions of the United States.
Earlier this month, a national CBS/New York Times poll reported that 41 percent of Americans support legalizing marijuana - up from just 27 percent in 1979.
THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE is apparently NOT the issue with some of our representatives. I thought you might appreciate this exchange between Sen Diane Feinstein D, CA and myself a 66 year old medical user for stroke, seizures and cancer treatment.
From: LDMZ
To: senator@feinstein.senate.gov
Sent: 7/16/2009 7:10:48 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time
Subj: Re: U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein responding to your message
Dear Senator Feinstein,
I appreciate the response to my comments on legalizing marijuana.
I agree with you on the fact that drugs can kill and debilitate.
Are you aware that aspirin causes the deaths of dozens every year?
Are you aware that in thousands of years of mankind's history, there are no recorded deaths from overdose of cannabis?
However your thoughts seem to be more of a conservative Republican point of view instead of a representative of California.
Since you are elected to represent your constituency, it would seem that you would follow the will of the people over your own personal viewpoint.
Statistically, your personal opinion is in the minority in the state
I'm not sure how you reconcile that idea.
Who do you represent, the people or yourself?
Or perhaps you are of the opinion that, to paraphrase, a "wise woman Senator, could make a better decision for the majority than they could make for themselves."
Maybe they can, but in a democracy, the will of the people is primary.
Thank you,
Dave Morgan
In a message dated 7/15/2009 12:42:19 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time, senator@feinstein.senate.gov writes:
Dear Mr. Morgan:
Thank you for writing to me regarding the use of medical marijuana. I appreciate hearing from you and welcome the opportunity to respond to your letter.
Drug use in the United States is a serious problem that can create countless economic and social problems. In my years as a public servant, I have seen the havoc that drug use can bring, not just to individuals, but to entire communities. While I understand your concerns about the current legal classification of marijuana, and appreciate your well thought out opinions on this topic, please know that I do not support the legalization of illegal drugs, including marijuana. My convictions on this matter have been developed over many years of experience in criminal justice, including nine years as a mayor who worked very closely with the law enforcement community. I know the tragedy that drug abuse causes in the lives of the addicted and on victims of drug-related crimes and their families.
However, while I do not support the legalization of any illegal drug for recreational use, please know that I do recognize that marijuana may have medicinal properties that could alleviate conditions such as AIDS-related wasting and chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Given this, I am examining what, if any, changes to Federal law are called for. Please know that I will keep your thoughts and concerns in mind should the Senate consider medical marijuana related issues in the future.
Again, thank you for contacting me. I hope you will continue to keep me informed on the issues of importance to you. Best regards.
Sincerely yours,
Dianne Feinstein
United States Senator
Further information about my position on issues of concern to California and the Nation are available at my website http://feinstein.senate.gov/public/. You can also receive electronic e-mail updates by subscribing to my e-mail list at http://feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ENewsletterSignup