Smoke Jumpers

A new Reuters poll shows that Californians are flipping out about the prospect of marijuana being legalized in the state and opposition against the measure is growing...well...like a weed.

Voters plan to oppose a measure on the November 2 ballot to legalize marijuana use by 53 percent to 43 percent, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Tuesday that showed a big change of sentiment from June.

Liberally inclined and financially troubled, California was the first state to flout federal law and legalize marijuana for medical use, and a Reuters/Ipsos poll in June showed voters nearly evenly divided on the measure to legalize sales and recreational use, known as Proposition 19.

But this is California, you say...West Coast blue, or in this case, green.  Not so fast.

But California is not as liberal as its reputation: enthusiasm for legalization in Los Angeles and San Francisco is offset by more conservative views in other parts of the state.

And while Democrats support marijuana legalization and outnumber Republicans in the state, Republicans are more consistent in their opposition. Democrats support legalization 54 percent to 45 percent, but Republicans are against it more than two to one, at or 66 percent to 30 percent.

Independents are nearly evenly divided.

Skepticism about legalization runs the gamut from those fearing it will not bring in the hoped-for hundreds of millions or billions of dollars in taxes to those who see marijuana as a real danger.

Michael Smith, a 20-year-old student at Long Beach City College who plans to become a nurse, said marijuana had been a gateway drug for friends who continued to ecstasy and Xanax, an anti-anxiety drug.

"I had two friends who were faded on marijuana and Xannies and flipped their truck on the 605 South," he said, referring to the nearby San Gabriel River Freeway. Both died.

Let's not kid ourselves, marijuana is a drug and can be abused like a number of substances.  However, alcohol kills far more people in the US every year and is regulated by the government, along with tobacco.  Personally I don't use the stuff, but let those who want to responsibly can.

State wants to make some revenue off of it?  Go for it.  Still, it seems the very real prospect of this passing in the Golden State just last month has gotten conservatives out in droves against this, and given the turnout model of the enthusiasm gap, I'm not sure even California will be able to pass something like this.