Poll: NY Stoked for Medical Marijuana, But Will Senate Listen?

Voters across New York State are overwhelmingly in favor of ending prohibition on medical marijuana, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. 71 percent of those polled said medical marijuana is a "good idea," with the poll finding support "among all political, racial and regional groups." Even a majority of Republicans (55 - 41) are in favor of turning on medicinally. "Voters of every age have entered the Age of Aquarius," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "It hasn't attracted a lot of attention, but New York State voters would like to emulate their New Jersey neighbors and approve medical use of marijuana." So what the hell's stopping us from biting Jersey's style?

A bill is before the state senate now, but progress in Albany comes more slowly than a stoner searching for his keys. Runnin' Scared says the bill "keeps getting nervously passed among committees." Come on Senate, puff puff pass it! The poll also found that a slim majority of NYC voters (57 - 40) oppose the so-called "fat tax" proposal to tax non-diet sugary soft drinks. Statewide, Democrats support the idea 53 - 44 percent, but opposition is 76 - 22 percent among Republicans and 59 - 39 percent among independent voters. And faith in the government is at a major low; only 9 percent of voters say the State Legislature "has the courage to deal with difficult budget problems, while 84 percent expect 'it will be business as usual in Albany.'"

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By John Del Signore in News on February 4, 2010 5:20 PM

Comments [rss]

Bud Kine

Hey, I know plenty of very lovable, loving Republicans who like to get a buzz on. They seem to move closer to the center with every puff.

“Warning: Smoking cannabis may cause enlightenment.”

Peace.

GoGoMrPoPo

Easy way to shore up the horrific budget situation in New York:

Legalize marijuana for adults over 21 and let the state run the show, a la liquor stores in New Hampshire. Controls the product adequately, enforces age restrictions more effectively, keeps prices way down, and the profits go straight into the government books to pay for things like education, medicaid, social programs, and infrastructure reinvestment. Every state should adopt the NH liquor model, but it would probably be too difficult politically, given all the people whose livelihoods depend on private liquor sales. If pot is legalized, states have a chance to get it right from the beginning.

PTG in nyc

I should've said Legislature, as the Assembly is only slightly less hideous than the Senate.

PTG in nyc

I wonder if NY State Republicans are so against cigarette taxes? Soda might not be tobacco, but it's completely unhealthy, fairly addictive, and abused by enough people that it should be taken seriously. Also, it's F'ing subsidized (corn), so beverage companies don't have the right to cry wolf, and people shouldn't feel that a tax on this particular product is even unfair.

California has too many voter referendums, and their situation over marijuana regulation is now poor, but NY obviously does not have enough voter referendums. The people have spoken, let us decide our own fate on this issue rather than depend upon the most awful state government in the land to do the right thing.

PS, how do we proceed in fixing this dysfunctional and corrupt senate? I feel passionately about the marijuana issue, but in reality it means absolutely nothing despite being the right thing to do. There are much larger problems that continue to spiral out of control.

becool

Forget Jersey's style!! That's a terrible and restrictive Bill. If a poll were taken in NY on the Full Legalization of Marijuana it would be above 50%. Times have changed and If a law is passed it ought to be the right one. Marijuana should be Legalized for adults and they should be allowed to grow it for themselves with no commercialization or pot shops at all. 100$ for a permit each year with up to 12 Plants at any given time. This is how you Legalize weed, this is how it should be done. No B.S, No shops popping up all over, no kids seeing signs or advertisements for the "what about the kid" types to get upset about. That should be our style, New York Style.

calcetines

Why the $100 yearly permit and restriction on plant number? Don't we get taxed enough? Also, 13 plants is not any more harmful than 12 for the plants are not harmful at all.