NORML.org just posted an article: The Nation: “Breaking The Taboo”. Here’s an excerpt of the excerpt:
Nowhere is this convergence more evident than with respect to marijuana. In 1969, when Gallup first asked Americans if they support legalizing marijuana use, 12 percent were in favor. Support hovered in the mid-20s for many years, then started drifting upward—from 25 percent in 1995 to 36 percent in 2005.In October, at the height of the landmark campaign for legalization in California, the latest Gallup poll found 46 percent in favor nationally, with 50 percent opposed. Prop 19 garnered 46.5 percent of the vote—and roughly a quarter of Californians who voted against it said they favored legalization but were hesitant to vote yes for one reason or another.
I have a hypothesis that, given a non-rigged, unbiased survey, the general public would see marijuana in a favorable light.
I wonder if this has been done yet, or even CAN be done — a blind survey, like the Coke vs. Pepsi challenge back in the day.
The lead-in would say something like, “The following experimental supplements consist of herbal extracts and are being researched in laboratories for their benefits, along with any negative and positive side effects…”
Listed would be several drugs including tobacco, alcohol and prescription meds, plus other things like health products. Their effects and side effects would be listed, but carefully worded as to not give anything away.
Even things like cigarettes’ and alcohol’s “medical” benefits would be presented (aren’t they at least “mood enhancers”?), as well as natural remedies like green tea and vitamin C. And their addictiveness rating and negative side effects would be presented as well.
The questions would ask, “Should this legal substance be banned?” (doesn’t matter if they’re legal or not). Or, “Some of your friends are taking this substance as a supplement. Would you be concerned? / Would you take it as well?”
Of course, the somewhat deceptive wording would only serve eliminate bias, not to lead the survey takers. Given a level playing field, I think weed would score very well. Of course, the purpose of the survey would be like the Pepsi challenge — to perhaps shock the taker into thinking, “Holy shit, I just voted to legalize marijuana,” even if they originally had a bias against it.
…Or am I just high? I know I’m high, I just don’t know if this idea is way out there.
Hey, you goon! Email me, I can’t believe I finally tracked you down!!!