Monday, February 27, 2012

A First for America? Marijuana Constituency Rises

The marijuana constituency: Don't know if it has ever been a factor in past elections, but it is rapidly on the rise, and may soon swing a race -- if it already hasn't.

I was out campaigning tonight, when asked my stand on marijuana. How few of years has it been since a voter would not think to base his or her vote on whether the candidate supported legalized marijuana? Marijuana was illegal and that was understandable. So, no need to vote against someone just because that candidate opposed legalizing marijuana.

But, these days, 51 percent of Americans, I'm told, believe marijuana should be legalized. Maybe the percentage has been that high for decades. I do not know. But, I do believe the supporters have become more demanding of what they see as a constitutional right. The drug harms no one, they say, and brings happiness, so it is there right to have and enjoy it. That is not a new opinion, but it is one that is becoming more strenuent.

And, they have a candidate running for the highest office in all the land. Ron Paul supports marijuana. I don't know what percentage of his supporters support him because of his stand on marijuana, but I know a share of them do.

Has a presidential candidate of his stature ever before been flag-bearer for the cause of those who would have marijuana legalized?

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