Pubdate: Thu, 03 Apr 2014
Source: Middletown Press, The (CT)
Copyright: 2014 The Middletown Press
Contact:  http://www.middletownpress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/586
Note: from The Associated Press

IN POLL, MANY SAY RECREATIONAL POT WILL BE WIDELY ACCEPTED

DENVER (AP) - Three-fourths of Americans say it's inevitable that
marijuana will be legal for recreational use across the nation,
whether they support such policies or not, according to a public
opinion poll released Wednesday that highlights shifting in attitudes
following an era of drug war and "tough on crime" legislation.

The Pew Research Center survey also shows increased support for ending
mandatory minimum prison sentences for nonviolent drug offenders and
doing away altogether with jail time for small amounts of marijuana.

The opinions come as public debate on these topics has led lawmakers
around the nation to consider policy changes.

Since California became the first state to legalize medical marijuana
in 1996, at least 19 others, and the District of Columbia, have
followed suit, including two that have approved recreational use. More
than a dozen state legislatures considered legalization measures this
year.  
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