New Poll: Almost Everyone Thinks Its Wrong to Jail People for PotScott Morgan Majorities of respondents in the three countries (Britain 56%, Canada 68%, United States 74%) welcome the concept of using alternative penaltiessuch as fines, probation or community servicerather than prison for non-violent offenders. At least seven-in-ten Britons (70%), Americans (74%) and Canadians (78%) believe personal marijuana use should be dealt with through alternative penalties. And yet I keep hearing people justifying Obamas medical marijuana crackdown on the grounds that voters will be impressed by his toughness. How much more evidence do we need that huge majorities support less punitive marijuana policies? Its time to bury the antiquated, idiotic myth that the public supports tough drug laws. Its false and its been false for a very long time. 