These poll numbers were released earlier today by Rasmussen Reports -- "an electronic publishing firm specializing in the collection, publication, and distribution of public opinion polling information."
49% in California Favor Legalizing, Taxing Pot
Sunday, November 22, 2009
The plurality of voters in California continues to support legalizing and taxing marijuana in order to solve some of the state's ongoing budget problems.
The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey in the state shows that 49% support the idea, while 38% are opposed. Just 12% are undecided.
Voters are slightly more supportive of the idea than they were in July , when 47% favored legalization and taxation of pot and 42% were opposed.
Nationally, 41% of voters think the United States should legalize and tax marijuana to help solve the nation's fiscal problems, but 49% are against the idea
California now faces a near $21-billion deficit over the next 18 months.
Most men in California (55%) support the legalization and taxation of marijuana, compared to 45% of women.
Democrats support the idea much more strongly than Republicans and voters not affiliated with either of the major parties.
A California state law passed in 1996 decriminalized marijuana for medical use, and in 2003 a ballot measure specified the drug could be cultivated and distributed to prescription-holding patients through nonprofit collectives.
Fifty-nine percent (59%) of voters in California believe that in states that have decriminalized medicinal marijuana, the federal government should not pursue criminal action against those who violate federal law. Just 29% believe the government should be allowed to prosecute those individuals, while 29% are undecided.
Whether or not voters believe marijuana should be used to solve the state's budget problems, most say the state's lawmakers need to take action immediately. Seventy-four percent (74%) of voters say the California legislature should go back into session before January to decide on a budget solution. Just seven percent (7%) disagree, but another 19% are undecided.
Still, most voters see no end in sight, with 51% who say the state's financial problems will be worse one year from today. Only 17% say the situation will be better in one year, while 22% expect things to be about the same.
Forty-nine percent (49%) say California's elected officials are most to blame for the state's huge budget deficit, while just 15% blame the U.S. economy overall. Another 14% say labor unions are most to blame, and nine percent (9%) point the finger at other special interest groups. Six percent (6%) blame voters.
Seventy-nine percent (79%) of California voters say the bigger problem in the state today is not voters' unwillingness to pay enough in taxes but rather is the unwillingness of politicians to control government spending. Only 11% say taxpayers are the bigger problem.
Nearly two-out-of-three California voters (64%) say illegal immigrants put a significant strain on the state budget .
In the race for California's next governor in 2010 , Democrat Jerry Brown and Republican Meg Whitman are tied at 41% each.
Little has changed in the 2010 U.S. Senate race in California over the past month, as incumbent Democrat Barbara Boxer maintains steady leads over two of the top Republican opponents.
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To view the original report, please use this link: Tax Pot!