Margin of Error in Polling

                The margin of error in polling is a very controversial topic.  A margin of error in polling is how wrong or how varied the poll could be from the actual opinion of the group.  The margin of error can be decreased with a larger random sample.  The introduction and large use of online polling has caused a huge problem with coming up with and how accurate a margin of error is.  Since our society so heavily demands this statistic when shown a poll, the people taking the poll must work hard to come up with their best estimate on how big it is.  The problem is that in order for a margin of error to be accurate, it must have a truly random sample and all the characteristics of a truly scientific poll.  An online poll does not allow for this to occur because the whole population is not available for polling and the people that do take the poll are not at random. 

                Arguments are taking place that the online surveys should not have to include the margin of error in them because they are not a truly scientific and random poll to begin with.  Annie Petit, writer for the Huffington Post, stated that people should stop having to ask for the margin of error, especially in online polls.  She believes that the margin of error has encompassed the study and the media/people are too worried about the margin of error than the actual data found in the polling process.  I side with her on this because often times people will try and discredit/disregard a poll or not believe it when it has such a large margin of error.  The AAPOR or American Association for Public Opinion Research has recommended to many polls that they should leave out the polling error whenever dealing with opt-in polls like online polls.  Huffington Post has stated that they are in a bit of a pickle because they would be going against the AAPOR if they provided the margin of error.  But then again, if they fail to do so then the general public could be angry that they cannot see how accurate the data provided is.  

Sources:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/03/margin-of-error-debate_n_6565788.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/annie-pettit/stop-asking-for-margin-of_b_6579466.html

The Banking of Marijuana Sales

                Marijuana legalization is a huge issue in current American politics, as multiple states have passed laws allowing for the recreational sale and usage of the drug.  There is one very big problem with these laws.  Federal law states that the narcotic marijuana is illegal, while some states have laws that say otherwise.  The marijuana is bringing in large amounts of money but they have nowhere to keep this money except in cash.  The banking business is a federally-run organization and they do not allow for the marijuana businesses to put large amounts of drug money into the bank.  If dealers would try to deposit their money, the dealer would lose their money and the bank would get in trouble.  There is a huge debate about what the federal government should do about this problem and marijuana dealers are outraged because having large amounts of cash is very dangerous. 

                The public view of the narcotic is starting to shift, as states like Colorado and Washington continue to see benefits from their decisions to legalize marijuana.  Also, some banks are beginning to warm up to the idea of banking marijuana money.  The First Security Bank of Nevada is the first bank to publicly and freely accept money acquired in the cannabis industry.  They have already seen close to 35 Million dollars in deposits from industries alone.  Establishing a banking business for the marijuana money would greatly benefit all suppliers of marijuana products and most of all, banks.  The marijuana business was equal to 1.5 billion dollars in 2013 and it is only growing as our society is changing.

                Highly influential members of the business have started notions to try and get their own banking system.  The Federal Reserve was contacted by Mark Mason, who just wants a place to keep his large amounts of money instead of having them guarded by security and guards all the time.  Having a bank in which to store his money would save him a fortune and he would be able to stop dealing in cash.  Mr. Mason and a few other influential pot enthusiasts filed to the Federal Reserve for a “master” account.  Normally, these requests are granted in no time, but their request was sent almost 3 months ago.  They are currently waiting on the Feds to help them with their large monetary problem the cannabis business has caused.

                Overall, the states and cannabis businesses are in a debate about selective incorporation and whether these states should have to follow the federal ban of marijuana or if they override this ban.  Many people think that marijuana should be legal everywhere due to its large monetary benefits but it just needs to find a banking system to support it.

Sources:

1. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/08/business/marijuana-industry-in-colorado-eager-for-its-own-bank-waits-on-the-fed.html?_r=0
2. http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-marijuana-banking-20141128-story.html#page=1
3. http://www.cnbc.com/id/102186623#