Majority of Americans Now Favor Legalizing Marijuana

HOLLYWOOD, Calif., April 8, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Medbox, Inc. (OTC Markets: MDBX) (www.medboxinc.com), a leader in providing consulting services and systems to medical and retail industries worldwide, commented on the new research regarding American's views on legalizing marijuana.

According to the Pew Research Center, for the first time in more than four decades of polling on the issue, a majority of Americans favor legalizing the use of marijuana. A national survey finds that 52% say that the use of marijuana should be made legal while 45% say it should not.

Support for legalizing marijuana has risen 11 points in just the past 3 years. The change is even more dramatic since the late 1960s, when a Gallup survey found that just 12% favored legalizing marijuana use, while 84% were opposed.

Amid these changing attitudes about marijuana, a sizable percentage of Americans (72%) say that government efforts to enforce marijuana laws cost more than they are worth. And 60% say that the federal government should not enforce federal laws prohibiting the use of marijuana in states where it is legal.

"We are gratified that an institution as respected as Pew Research has validated the fact that the majority of Americans are in favor of legalizing marijuana," Dr. Bruce Bedrick, CEO of Medbox commented. "At Medbox, we have created innovative methods of providing controls, verification, transparency and compliance, so that regulations are carefully adhered to in this rapidly evolving industry."

As support for marijuana legalization has grown, there has been a decline in the percentage viewing it as a "gateway drug." Currently, just 38% believe that for most people the use of marijuana leads to the use of hard drugs – a theory that has been disproved by medical and psychological research reports, including a landmark report from the Rand Corporation titled "Using Marijuana May Not Raise the Risk of Using Harder Drugs." In the report, it stated "It is not marijuana use, but individuals' opportunities and unique propensities to use drugs that determine their risk of initiating hard drugs."

"We believe that the best way the legal marijuana industry will continue to grow unimpeded is if all of the participants in the process – from manufacturers to ancillary service providers to end users, all demonstrate strict compliance to all laws in a fully transparent manner," Dr. Bedrick stated. "By acknowledging that this is a highly emotional and politically charged arena, and taking steps to provide assurance to politicians, regulators and the public that potential risks have been addressed and eliminated, then we can been seen as responsible guardians of this new and rapidly growing industry."

To view the Pew Research Report, visit: http://www.people-press.org/2013/04/04/majority-now-supports-legalizing-marijuana/

To view an article on this subject from the Los Angeles Times, visit: http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-pn-marijuana-legalization-majority-support-20130404,0,2533952.story

To view the Rand Corporation Report, visit: http://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RB6010/index1.html

About Medbox, Inc: 

Medbox is a leader in the development, sales and service of automated, biometrically controlled dispensing and storage systems for medicine and merchandise. Medbox has offices throughout the world, including New York, Arizona, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Tokyo, London and Toronto, and has their corporate headquarters in Los Angeles.

Medbox provides their patented systems, software and consulting services to pharmacies, dispensaries, urgent care centers, drug rehab clinics, hospitals, prison systems, hospice facilities, and medical groups worldwide.

Medbox, Inc. is a publicly traded company, and is listed on the OTC Markets, ticker symbol MDBX.

For more information on Medbox, please contact the Medbox Investor Relations Department at (800) 762-1452 or go online to www.medboxinc.com.

SOURCE Medbox, Inc.