65% support for legalizing hemp in Kentucky

[jct74]

I haven't seen the subject of hemp polled in very many surveys so this is interesting to see what the level of support is and also relevant to Rand's legislative efforts so am posting it here in his forum. 65% is a good number, seems like the word is getting out on hemp and Kentucky could be the epicenter of a hemp revolution in this country.


Bluegrass Poll | Kentucky supports hemp, medical marijuana; 40% want to legalize recreational use
And 60% back legalizing medical marijuana in Ky.

Gregory A. Hall
Feb 24, 2013

Strong majorities of Kentuckians favor legalizing medical marijuana and industrial hemp — and nearly 40 percent support decriminalizing recreational marijuana use, according to the latest Courier-Journal Bluegrass Poll.

Medical marijuana and hemp, both of which are now illegal in Kentucky, are the subject of current legislative bills, but with markedly different chances of passing.

Agriculture Commissioner James Comer’s bill to regulate industrial hemp already has passed the Senate and is set for a hearing this week in a House committee, while a medical marijuana bill hasn’t gotten a hearing.

...

Nearly two-thirds of Kentuckians — 65 percent — favor legalizing industrial hemp, compared to 22 percent opposed and 13 percent unsure. The poll had a margin of error of 3.9 percentage points.

Every demographic group supported legalizing hemp, including 53 percent of conservatives and 54 percent of seniors.

Support was strongest in the Louisville area, where 72 percent favored industrial hemp.

...

read more:
http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20130223/PRIME01/302230034/Bluegrass-Poll-Kentucky-supports-hemp-medical-marijuana-40-want-legalize-recreational-use


http://cmsimg.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=B2&Date=20130223&Category=PRIME01&ArtNo=302230034&Ref=AR&MaxW=640&Border=0&Bluegrass-Poll-Kentucky-supports-hemp-medical-marijuana-40-want-legalize-recreational-use


details of results:
http://www.courier-journal.com/interactive/article/20130223/NEWS0101/130222012/Document-Poll-results-hemp-survey

[supermario21]

If 40% are for decriminalization in Kentucky, I would think the numbers are higher nationwide. Pretty good progress being made.

[SilenceDewgooder]

From 1600 - 1890's Domestic production of hemp encouraged

"American production of hemp was encouraged by the government in the 17th century for the production of rope, sails, and clothing. (Marijuana is the mixture of dried, shredded flowers and leaves that comes from the hemp plant.)

In 1619 the Virginia Assembly passed legislation requiring every farmer to grow hemp. Hemp was allowed to be exchanged as legal tender in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Maryland.

Domestic production flourished until after the Civil War, when imports and other domestic materials replaced hemp for many purposes. In the late nineteenth century, marijuana became a popular ingredient in many medicinal products and was sold openly in public pharmacies.

During the 19th century, hashish use became a fad in France and also, to some extent, in the U.S."

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/dope/etc/cron.html

[SilenceDewgooder]

1940s -"Hemp for Victory"

During World War II, imports of hemp and other materials crucial for producing marine cordage, parachutes, and other military necessities became scarce. In response the U.S. Department of Agriculture launched its "Hemp for Victory" program, encouraging farmers to plant hemp by giving out seeds and granting draft deferments to those who would stay home and grow hemp. By 1943 American farmers registered in the program harvested 375,000 acres of hemp.

1972 - Shafer Commission

The bipartisan Shafer Commission, appointed by President Nixon at the direction of Congress, considered laws regarding marijuana and determined that personal use of marijuana should be decriminalized. Nixon rejected the recommendation, but over the course of the 1970s, eleven states decriminalized marijuana and most others reduced their penalties.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/dope/etc/cron.html

[RonPaulFanInGA]

http://cmsimg.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=B2&Date=20130223&Category=PRIME01&ArtNo=302230034&Ref=AR&MaxW=640&Border=0&Bluegrass-Poll-Kentucky-supports-hemp-medical-marijuana-40-want-legalize-recreational-use

So yes to hemp and medical marijuana, and no to marijuana for recreational use?

[Brett85]

A plurality of Democrats in Kentucky actually oppose legalizing marijuana for recreational reasons, while 52% of independents support legalizing marijuana. That seems strange.

[VictorB]

A plurality of Democrats in Kentucky actually oppose legalizing marijuana for recreational reasons, while 52% of independents support legalizing marijuana. That seems strange.

It does at first, but when you think about it, the party stances are either doing 180's or just merging. Democrats now are essentially what Republicans were during the G.W Bush years. The difference is they have no idea they have transformed.

[whoisjohngalt]

If 40% are for decriminalization in Kentucky, I would think the numbers are higher nationwide. Pretty good progress being made.

No 40% are against regulated legalization. This is a very important distinction and it's a mistake I often see. If we plan to make the argument in favor of legalization it's important that we know the difference in my opinion.

Decriminalization means that it's still entirely illegal, but that the penalties are non criminal. You won't be arrested for possession but will receive a ticket like you would if you were stopped for speeding. The problem with decrim is that it does absolutely nothing to stop the black market and all of its ancillary effects. That's not to say it isn't a step in the right direction.

Regulated legalization means that it would be controlled like alcohol. To truly combat black market effects we must legalize the production and sale not just possession.