An overwhelming majority of New Yorkers support the use of recreational marijuana and allowing adults to legally possess small amounts for personal use, and many would not mind having a marijuana dispensary in their town, a new Quinnipiac University Poll reveals. The top reasons why this is important are:

1.Prohibition denies our most basic human right. Prohibition takes away our right of sovereignty over our own bodies and gives this power to government.
2. Millions in potential taxes go to illegal drug organizations. Our cash-strapped state & citizens are being cheated out of millions that could be obtained by taxing and regulating marijuana like alcohol.
3. Prohibition diverts millions from the needy. More than 50 New York agencies feed at the drug war trough. Food stamps and other social programs are being slashed while millions are spent trying to stop adults from using marijuana.
4. Criminalizing marijuana lacks moral justification. A real crime implies a victim and a perpetrator. Can you imagine being jailed for robbing yourself? As insane as this sounds, New York has done the equivalent by making adult use of marijuana a crime.