New Survey: 64% of Law Enforcement Officers Want Cannabis Laws Reformed
A new survey released by the publication Law Officer has found that over 64% of police officers support some form of cannabis law reform. The survey questioned over 11,000 officers. 
According to the poll, less than 35% of law enforcement officers support retaining current penalties for cannabis. By comparison, 36% believe cannabis should be legalized, taxed and regulated, and an additional 18% believe that cannabis possession should result in a maximum penalty of a fine, rather than incarceration. 11% stated that it should be legal for medical purpose. All told, nearly 65% of police officers stated that they support either the decriminalization or legalization of cannabis in some form.
“This poll reveals that support for marijuana prohibition is eroding even amongst those who are serving on the front lines enforcing it,” says Erik Altieri, Communications Director for NORML, “When a majority of the American people and most of those tasked with implementing a law disagree with it in principle, it is time to change that law.”
The full poll results can be found by clicking here.
– TheJointBlog
Jerry L. Alexander
It is about time someone starts telling the truth about law enforcement officers and this article begins to scratch the surface. In the 1970’s it was an ongoing joke on Saturday Night Live about cops having the best dope. I used to laugh a lot but not because it was a joke. The reality was that this was the truth. I spent seven years as a municipal police officer in a community of one million citizens so I do think my experience exceeds those of smaller jurisdictions. In 1972 I was introduced to marijuana by a fellow patrolman and to this day I still proclaim to all that I smoked my first joint in the front seat of a police car. I later discussed the subject of marijuana with my superior officer not revealing who had turned me on. To my surprise my sergeant not only admitted to smoking but encouraged me to continue to experiment telling of all the different officers he knew of that used all types of drugs many of which were described as heavy hitters. I left law enforcement in 1976 but I doubt seriously anything has changed much at all. It is time for the hypocrisy to end.
Jeanie
It’s good to know that even Law Enforcement is ready for Cannabis legalization! The THC kind AND the strong Hemp, that grows. Fast n can be used to make almost anything, 1 step towards saving our planet n all life forms n their habitats we r ruining now. Its legalization is a win-win situation for the USA, people buy the THC products they want for their health in a store, new stores mean lotsa new jobs to grow, package, TAX! N clear the prisons of pot people n put the people w the real BAD drugs IN prison. But no we waste $ on new prisons n they r expensive! So legalize n we’ll have a plethora of prisons w plenty of room for the REALLY BAD PEOPLE! Why r the lawmakers not listening to us people they r supposed to represent?? Fighting like children instead of working together for all USA! They learned nothing in Kindergarden!!