Public Opinion

very important part of this issue, or any politically charged issue really, is seeing what people think. We live in a situation where we as citizens (theoretically) have the ability to make changes in policy and express our opinions. We can do this through voting, contacting representatives, protesting, joining interest groups, or any combination of these things. Because we have the ability to make change, gauging the opinions of the public, whether local or national, can tell us how much support a policy has and in turn, how likely it is to be acted on by the government. 

This surely applies to the legalization of marijuana. Through the school year I have done lots of information gathering regarding peoples opinions on marijuana itself, and its legalization. I have constructed what is basically a collection of brochures, which covers basic information about the history, what is going on right now in the state college area regarding the issue, and perhaps most importantly what peoples opinions are both nationally and in state college. Using my research this blog post will explore the opinions of those around us on marijuana legalization on all different levels.  

Interview with a Penn State Student: 

Dave F is a junior here at Penn State as well as a resident of Pennsylvania. He has struggled with social anxiety for much of his life. To help with this anxiety Dave would like to get a medical marijuana card eventually. He says “With legalized marijuana I would have a legal cushion and would not have to worry about getting in trouble when I smoke weed, even with my medical card. Legal repercussions are something that everyone who smokes marijuana either recreationally or for other reasons has to watch out for in Pennsylvania, and illegal state”. I later asked him about how, on top of legalization, dispensaries would affect himself and people like him. He said that it would make marijuana more accessible, but the biggest help would simply be lessening the anxiety about getting stopped for marijuana use. Dave is certain that smoking marijuana has helped him with his anxiety stating that “When you smoke it kind of creates a little false reality in your head making you a little less anxious about your surroundings. This definitely carries over to when you’re sober so you try and continue that (feeling of calm)”.

While Dave does not have any marijuana charges and is not part of a group that is regularly targeted for marijuana he also agrees that the legal repercussions should be lessened and people should get overly harsh sentences dropped. 

 

Poll of opinions in and around State College:

Because this issue affects so many people, I created a poll and sent it to many of my fellow Penn State students. The poll asked them if they supported each aspect of the bill separately as well as if they supported the bill as a whole. I then provided a space for them to explain their decisions. I received 50 responses (and counting). Here are a few anonymous responses explaining student opinions: “In the grand scheme of things, marijuana, when used responsibly and recreationally, is not harmful. Time and resources can be used for better purposes and crimes, such as rape, theft, and murder”, “I believe that cannabis should be no more regulated than alcohol, as it is no more dangerous (and possibly less?) and its current regulation costs the taxpayers presumably much more than a significant degree of deregulation”, “I think people will take advantage of it and be high constantly which will reduce the productivity of our country”, “Avid weed smoker 🙂 helps with my anxiety”

Opinions on a national scale: 

Countless studies have shown that medical marijuana has not only economic benefits, but health benefits as well. It is used across the nation to treat chronic pain and anxiety. However, the facts are just as important as people’s interpretations of them as well as public perception of marijuana as a whole. 

Research shows that a majority of Americans believe (or perhaps know) that marijuana is both less addictive and less dangerous than alcohol (a substance that is in a drug schedule). 

Based on my own survey, marijuana legalization is even favored within our own community. Results show that overall, 82,4% of participants support bill SB350 (for introducing a legal marijuana program). On top of introducing a legal marijuana program, 88.2% of participants support lessening legal repercussions for possession of marijuana.