Date:
4/24/2003
Contact: Wendel Sloan at 505.562.2253
PORTALES – A student at Eastern New Mexico University has conducted a survey of staff and student opinions about legalizing marijuana for medicinal purposes. In a topics class under Dr. Melissa Blevins, associate professor of criminal justice, Debra Simpson, a senior criminal justic major from Wichita, Kan., asked four questions:
1. Would you favor legalizing medicinal marijuana for those who have serious medical conditions such as HIV/AIDS, and cancer?
2. Would you favor legalizing medicinal marijuana for those with chronic pain, such as muscular diseases, bone ailments, etc."
3. Would you support legalizing small amounts of marijuana for personal use for those with illnesses such as HIV/AIDS and cancer?
4. Would you support legalizing small amounts of marijuana for personal use for those without a serious medical condition?
The following definitions were supplied for the respondents: 1. Medicinal marijuana – prescribed by a physician; 2. Personal marijuana – with a physician's diagnosis for medical need or condition; 3. Personal marijuana – recreational use.
Respondents were asked to rate each question on a five-point scale, ranging from "Strongly Agree" to "Strongly Disagree."
Of 400 staff members, 50 were picked at random to be surveyed. Classrooms were used to survey students on a volunteer basis. Approximately 25 staff members returned the surveys, and more than 100 students responded.
The results were:
Question #1: 78.4 percent voted that they would support a law legalizing medicinal marijuana for such medical conditions as HIV/AIDS.
Question #2: 75.5 percent voted they would legalize marijuana for chronic pain.
Question #3: 56.8 percent voted they would support legalizing small amounts of marijuana for patients with a doctor's diagnosis.
Question #4: 53 percent voted they would oppose legalizing marijuana for strictly personal use.
(photo by Wendel Sloan)