Gallup Poll: Support for Cannabis Legalization in U.S. Reaches 70%

A Gallup poll released November 8 found a new record level of support for cannabis legalization among U.S. adults, topping 70% after totaling a then-record 68% for three years. The pollster found 28% of respondents opposed the reforms with 1% unsure. 

In 1969, when Gallup first asked about legalizing cannabis, just 12% favored the reforms.  

Cannabis legalization was popular among a majority of all subgroups, including 91% of self-identified liberals, 87% of Democrats, 52% of self-identified conservatives, 55% of Republicans, and 70% of independents. Respondents 18-34-years-old strongly backed the reforms, with support reaching 79%, along with 71% of those 35-54, and 64% of those 55 and older. 

“There are no significant differences in support by gender, race or education,” Gallup said in a press release. “While most of the regional differences seen this year are also not statistically significant, the lower support for legalization in the East than in the West and Midwest is consistent with the recent trend.” 

The pollster notes that “the poll finds no difference in support for legalization between residents living in the 23 states plus the District of Columbia where recreational use was already legal at the time of the poll and those living in the other 27 states that retain more restrictive laws.”