As Oregon becomes the fourth state to make recreational marijuana use legal, 44% of Americans say they have tried marijuana. This is the highest percentage Gallup has found since it began asking the question in 1969. Back then, a mere 4% admitted to having tried it. CONT. Justin McCarthy, Gallup Read more »
47% Say Legal Marijuana Will Make Roads Less Safe
As some U.S. states have legalized marijuana for recreational and medicinal use, 30% of Americans say legalization will make driving in those states a lot less safe. Another 17% expect it to make driving a little less safe. Half of Americans, however, say it will not make much of a […] Read more »
More Say Alcohol Threatens Auto Safety Than Pot, Pills
The vast majority of Americans believe that driving while impaired by alcohol is a “very serious” problem (79%) on the roads today. This swamps public concern about people driving while impaired by prescription painkillers (41%), marijuana (29%) or prescription antidepressants (28%). CONT. Steve Ander & Art Swift, Gallup Read more »
Why Gun Control and Abortion Are Different From Gay Marriage
The legalization of same-sex marriage is a potent example of a dominant theme in American history: Over time, civil rights expand, and discrimination ebbs. … As a result, it’s fair to divide the major issues in American political life into two broad categories. In one category are the rights-based issues […] Read more »
UT/TT Poll: Texans Divided on Gay Marriage
Texas voters are split on whether gays and lesbians should be allowed to marry and on whether businesses should be required to provide services to them, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. CONT. Ross Ramsey, Texas Tribune Read more »
This Is How Fast America Changes Its Mind
… Social change in the U.S. appears to follow a pattern: A few pioneer states get out front before the others, and then a key event—often a court decision or a grassroots campaign reaching maturity—triggers a rush of state activity that ultimately leads to a change in federal law. We […] Read more »