34 PERCENT BACK LEGALIZING POT, POLL FINDS

WASHINGTON -- Support for legalizing marijuana is at its highest
level in at least 30 years, according to a USA TODAY/CNN/Gallup poll.

The poll found that 34 percent favored legalizing marijuana use while
62 percent were opposed, the most support for legalization since
pollsters began asking the question in 1969.

Support for legalization had been constant at about 25 percent for 20
years before the USA TODAY poll recorded a rise to 31 percent in
August 2000 and 34 percent earlier this month.

"We are literally winning the hearts and minds of the American
people," said Keith Stroup, founder of the National Organization for
the Reform of Marijuana Laws.

He said the government's opposition to letting doctors prescribe
marijuana for pain relief and nausea has helped legalization efforts.

"Americans rethink their position on marijuana when they see a
government disinterested in helping dying patients," Stroup said.

But Robert Hussey, executive director of the California Narcotics
Officers Association, said the fight against legalizing marijuana --
for medical or recreational use -- is still worth waging. "We have
enough legal drugs out there. We don't need another one," he said.

Since 1996, voters in eight states have passed initiatives supporting
medical marijuana. Polls show more than 70 percent of voters support
medical marijuana.

Polls in Canada and England have shown half the population supports
legalizing marijuana.

The USA TODAY/CNN/Gallup poll found support for legalization highest
among 18- to 49-year-olds, people in the West and independent voters.

Opposition was greatest among the elderly, those who attend church
weekly and Republicans.

The poll of 1,017 adults was taken Aug. 3-5 and has an error margin
of plus or minus 3 percentage points.