Public support for the legalization of marijuana is on the rise.

According to a recent Gallup poll, 58 percent of Americans think it should be legalized. That's a 14 percent jump since Gallup polled Americans in 2009, and a 46 percent jump since Gallup first asked the question in 1969.

Recreational marijuana use is now legal in four states, and close to two dozen states have provisions allowing the use of marijuana for medical purposes. Those numbers can be expected to increase as public support for marijuana legalization continues to grow, as can the number of businesses looking to grow and sell weed to consumers.

It's unclear if marijuana legalization has increased use among students. (Helen H. Richardson, Denver Post file)

Two years after recreational marijuana was legalized in Colorado, school officials still don't know if more kids are using or bringing the drug to schools.

Educators say not much has changed since legalization, and the data tracking drug use, when available, are unlikely to have a big impact.

But schools are encouraged by grants — funded by a portion of the state's marijuana tax revenue — that provide more health professionals in schools to support drug education and prevention programs.

The advertising agency behind the controversial "Stoner Sloth" anti-marijuana videos, which cost taxpayers half a million dollars, has hit back at criticism, saying the campaign's message is completely lost on adults.

After a week of relentless ridicule, Saatchi & Saatchi (S&S) has stepped out in defence of the NSW government's latest anti-drugs initiative, which it created.

The "Stoner Sloth" campaign has attracted attention around the world. Photo: stonersloth.com.au

One of the most startling developments in recent US politics is how quickly support formarijuana legalization grew in just a few years. Ten years ago, 36 percent of Americans supported legalizing pot. Today that number is at 58 percent, according to Gallup.

By 1971, marijuana’s scent hung over most of Canada. Some 1.5 million folks had taken at least one drag on a joint. Hundreds of thousands were regularly firing up, grooving to Three Dog Night and learning from the leaked Pentagon Papers that the U.S. administration had lied about the Vietnam War.

Convictions for simple pot possession exploded: from 431 in 1967 to 5,399 in 1970 and 8,389 in 1971. More than half were against otherwise law-abiding baby boomers under 21 who would now carry criminal records along with their university degrees.

Whether you realize it or not, marijuana is on track to possibly be one of the deciding factors in the 2016 presidential election. As marijuana's approval rating has soared in national polls over the last decade, it's forced politicians who'd previously tiptoed the issue to take a stance.

Those Canadians charged or convicted with possession of marijuana before the drug is legalized should not be given amnesty. PABLO PORCIUNCULA / AFP/Getty Images

When someone is charged with a crime, the laws in place at the time of the offence dictate how that individual will be punished if convicted. The exception is outlined in Section 11(i) of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which states: “Any person charged with an offence has the right . . . if found guilty of the offence and if the punishment for the offence has been varied between the time of commission and the time of sentencing to the benefit of the lesser punishment.”

Re: Legal weed would lead to more use, poll says, Dec. 22

Re: A threat to Ottawa’s pot plan, Opinion Dec. 16

Legal weed would lead to more use, poll says, Dec. 22

About the only good thing about the legalization of marijuana will be a possible reduction in the criminal element attached to its sale. Unfortunately, as in the case of tobacco, there will still be those who sell/buy it illegally to avoid paying government-levied taxes.

While it probably makes sense to sell it through the LCBO if/when it’s legalized, I fear this will somehow endow it with a legitimacy it doesn’t deserve, so marketing of it must be strictly prohibited.

By 1971, marijuana’s scent hung over most of Canada. Some 1.5 million folks had taken at least one drag on a joint. Hundreds of thousands were regularly firing up, grooving to Three Dog Night and learning from the leaked Pentagon Papers that the U.S. administration had lied about the Vietnam War.

Convictions for simple pot possession exploded: from 431 in 1967 to 5,399 in 1970 and 8,389 in 1971. More than half were against otherwise law-abiding baby boomers under 21 who would now carry criminal records along with their university degrees.

The Ogun State command of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has impounded a truck load of cannabis sativa packaged as biscuits and cheese balls.

The 3,542.25kg bags of banned narcotics were intercepted by officials of the NDLEA at the Odeda axis of Ijebu-Igbo in Ijebu North Local Government in Ogun State.

Two suspects – Ihenacho Chinweuba (27) and Uche Enuosa (33) – were arrested in connection with the seizure.

The Ogun NDLEA Commander, Bala Fagge, said the shipment was meant for consumption in Ogun and Lagos states.

“A white Mercedes Benz Truck with registration No: Lagos KJA132XN was intercepted at Odeda axis of Ijebu-Igbo, Ijebu North Local Government.