A recent Angus Reid poll reports that 55% of Americans support legalization!

The big news from the Bay State is that a proposed medical marijuana initiative has been filed with the Massachusetts Secretary of State’s office for the November, 2012, ballot. There are hurdles to be crossed before it reaches the ballot, including the defense of a probable challenge from the Massachusetts Attorney General, who is extremely intolerant on all matters marijuana. If the organizers get past that hurdle, then they have a lot of signatures to collect and verify. The legislature will have a chance to pass it too, before it goes to the voters. I have put up a website page on this topic and will follow developments closely.

The measure is apparently being financed by an out-of-state benefactor, and will be run by a professional PR firm in Boston. This reminds me of 1928, when the AAPA, the leading anti-prohibition organization, was taken over by Pierre DuPont and other titans of American industry, moving the well-meaning and impassioned amateurs aside. They managed to amend the U.S. Constitution in five short years, a remarkable achievement, and an unlikely one if the amateurs remained in charge.

When full legalization is achieved, our first task will be to erect a monument to medical marijuana.