On '4/20 Day,' Polls Find Most Oppose Legalizing Marijuana

Colorado today is the scene of "4/20" rallies calling for the legalization of marijuana, but two polls released Tuesday say that a majority of Americans oppose such a move.

A CBS News poll conducted March 29-April 1 says that 51 percent of Americans oppose legalization while 44 percent support it, with 5 percent undecided.

That result was not much different than a CBS survey conducted last July, but it did show a drop in opposition from March 2009 when those against legalization numbered 63 percent.

Similarly, an Associated Press-CNBC poll, conducted April 7-12, said 55 percent opposed legalization while 33 percent supported it. Those under 30 were the only age group in favor of legalization, with 54 percent supporting it.

In the AP/CNBC survey, the legal use of small amounts of marijuana for medical purposes has strong support, with 60 percent backing it, 28 percent opposed and 11 percent "neutral."

Californians will vote on an initiative this year called the "Tax, Regulate and Control Cannabis Act of 2010." A California assemblyman who also has introduced legislation to legalize marijuana said sales taxes on it would bring in $1.34 billion. A Field poll conducted in April 2009 said 56 percent of Californians support the idea.

However, nationally, the AP/CNBC poll said just 14 percent of those who oppose legalization would change their minds if the sale of marijuana would be taxed to pay for state programs and services.

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