Nine Signs That Pot Legalization Is Coming Soon
When even a federal judge appointed by Ronald Reagan calls the criminalization of marijuana "absurd," you know we've come a long way from "Just Say No." As many as three states could vote to legalize pot this November, and not just for medical purposes – for straight-up getting high purposes. There’s always the chance they'll chicken out, like California voters did in 2010. But sooner or later, and probably sooner, a state will go green. Read on for nine signs that pot legalization is coming to the U.S.
By Julian Brookes
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Even President Obama admits the status quo isn’t working
"It is entirely legitimate to have a conversation about whether the laws in place are doing more harm than good," President Obama said at the Summit of Americas in April 2012. However, he stopped well short of endorsing legalization of marijuana or any other drug – no big surprise, since his administration has waged a "war on pot."
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Public opinion has come around
50 percent of Americans now favor legalizing marijuana – a "record high."
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Legalization made the November ballot in three states
Legalization is up for a vote this fall in Colorado, Oregon and Washington. Colorado and Washington look like pretty good bets.
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Very Serious People are calling for drug reform
Last year, the gold-plated Global Commission on Drug Policy, which includes several former Latin American presidents and big shots like former U.S. Secretary of State George Schultz former Federal Reserve chairman Paul Volcker, called on governments to "break the taboo," and consider alternatives to the criminalization of drugs.
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The first–ever legalization bill has been introduced in Congress
Rep. Barney Frank (D-Massachusetts) and Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) are pushing bipartisan legislation to end the federal ban on marijuana and let the states decide whether to legalize it.
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Most Americans are down with medical pot
According to Gallup, at least 70 percent of Americans now support legalizing marijuana for medical use.
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Mainstream politicians are coming out against the ‘war on drugs’ approach
Three states' governors – Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island, Christine Gregoire of Washington and Pete Shumlin of Vermont – filed a petition with the federal government last year to reclassify marijuana to allow for medical use. This year, Chafee, a Republican, signed a law decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of marijuana.
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Cops are starting to back off
Facing mounting public pressure, in September 2011, New York Police Commissioner Ray Kelly ordered all NYPD officers to stop charging people with misdemeanor marijuana violations based on improper searches.
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A pro-legalization presidential candidate is on the ballot in 47 states
Gary Johnson, presidential candidate for the Libertarian Party, is all about legalization.