Is legalizing marijuana a conservative position?

The Inductivist ^ | August 22, 2006 | Ron Guhname

[inductivist.blogspot.com]

Some readers have suggested that being in favor of legalizing MJ is a conservative position. It certainly is a libertarian one, but let's look at survey results and see what kind of people believe this way. Let's begin with political orientation:

Percent in favor of MJ legalization: extremely liberal 64.2%; extremely conservative 19.2.

Sociologically speaking, it is clearly a liberal position. But I wanted to make a sketch of the pro-legalization camp. Here's a list:

U.S. total in favor: 34.8%; 18-30 year-olds 43.4; Graduate degree 44.3; Never attends church 52.7; Pacific region 42.9; Russian ethnic group 50.0. Poor minority groups were most against it:Blacks 26.3%; Mexicans 25.9; and Puerto Ricans 23.7.

So the General Social Survey indicates that the people who want marijuana to be legalized the most are young, educated, secular whites, especially those who are very liberal. By contrast, three-quarters of people from poor, less educated minority groups are against it. Perhaps they have seen the costs of abuse most closely, or are more comfortable with criminalizing undesirable behaviors.

[thoughtomator]

It's one of those positions that are politically but not socially conservative. On the political level, it speaks to conservative positions on personal responsibility, free markets, and limited government.

[JennysCool]

Is legalizing marijuana a conservative position?

Sure, with all the alcoholed, Valiumed, Ritalined, methamphetamined, Viagraed and Thorazined folks walking about, we really need the legally-stoned to deal with in our daily lives, too.

Sheesh.

[GOP_Raider]

I'm in love with Mary Jane. She's my main thing. She makes me feel alright. She makes my heart sing.

And when I'm feeling low, She comes as no surprise. Turns me on with her love. Takes me to paradise.

Do you love me Mary Jane? Yeah. Whoa-oh-oh. Do ya? Do ya? Do ya? Now do you think you love me Mary Jane. Don't you play no games

[thoughtomator]

Psst. You already do. But because people who are stoned tend to stay indoors and not move around a lot, they don't get in your face like the others you listed.

[JennysCool]

You must be kidding. Ever try to order a simple Americano at Starbucks?

[thoughtomator]

Sorry, I don't go to places that charge five bucks for a cup of coffee, so I don't know the reference.

[backtothestreets]

A moral position at best, but if the term conservative is used to define what the Constitution and Bill of Rights actually put forth, it is a states rights issue. Liberals will argue otherwise or interpret some portion of the Constitution or subsequent amendments as "meaning" whatever they want it to mean. It is for each state to decide, and if marijuana were legalized within a state it is then the responsibility of each individual to decide to partake or abstain.

Amendment X

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

I don't use marijuana, and wouldn't if made legal. But my response is less about the issue of marijuana, and more about restoring and CONSERVING our Constitution as written. If a state choose to legalize marijuana I can live with that because it would be within the Constitutional right of the state. Another conservative Constitutional avenue is the amendment process restricting states of the right to legalize marijuana.

[Seamoth]

What would be a more conservative position IMHO would be to ease restrictions on pain medications. Too many people are out there literally crippled by pain and can't find relief because doctors are too afraid to prescribe pain medications.

Furthermore, there is evidence that not treating acute pain will lead to chronic pain--apparently there is growing consensus that if you suffer too much untreated pain, your nerves start firing pain signals permanently. So ironically we may be cutting down on the number of pain meds prescribed if we loosen regulations somewhat.

[TheSpaceCoyote]

A hot button issue for me. I consider myself very socially conservate, probably not as conservative as many FReepers though. I've gone from pro-legalize to anti-legalize and now I'm at decriminalize. Medicinal I would certainly support because I know firsthand that it can help with pain.

One problem is that you know any form of legalization will be abused badly. OTOH, being illegal, you're giving alot of money to some really bad people, so legalizing would take some money away from them.

So I'm standing at 'decriminalize' and let the police be choosy about who they arrest and let the judge make a judgement call.

[GOP_Raider]

...we really need the legally-stoned to deal with in our daily lives, too.

You think obesity is a problem now...

[supercat]

One problem is that you know any form of legalization will be abused badly.

I can't imagine legalization being more abused than prohibition.