Wack Weed Attitudes: Where Do People Really Stand?

The quest to legalize marijuana has been long and arduous. For over 40 years the legalization movement has been gaining support  — from 12% public support in 1969 to roughly 50% support in 2011 — more people than ever are in favor of legalization. According to the graphic below, these numbers rise astronomically to 70% in favor of legalizing doctor-prescribed marijuana. Still, state and federal lawmakers are among the minority of supporters. Many believe in the criminalization of marijuana, regardless of its proven track record for being a better alternative — and less grim reaper friendly — than prescription drugs and legal self-medication.

Medical marijuana is still considered illegal by 34 state governments, and a few key federal agencies. Prescription drugs approved by the FDA and widely marketed by the pharmaceutical industry are routinely prescribed instead of marijuana – Adderal, Ritalin, Wellbutrin, and Viagra – and have caused thousands of fatalities. Legal self-medications — alcohol and tobacco — kill hundreds of thousands of people; while marijuana maintains last place at the bottom of the death pyramid, with 0 kills. TakePart looks to trace the disconnect between the majority in favor of legalization, and the minority criminalization views held by the federal and state governments.

Click here or the image below for a full-sized view:

via: TakePart