According to a University of California, Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies poll, 63.8 percent of respondents supported legalizing cannabis for recreational use, with 36.2 percent opposed. The results are good news for advocates, as California voters will decide whether or not to legalize in November.
Democrats and independents supported the measure 73.8 percent and 62.2 percent, respectively. Republicans opposed legalization 53 percent to 47 percent, but were more supportive than they indicated in an IGS poll last year when 38.4 percent backed legalization, compared to 61.6 percent opposed.
The question did not poll support for Proposition 64, rather the broader question of legalization for adult use under a regulatory scheme similar to alcohol.
Support was highest among young people, aged 18 to 24 (74.5 percent to 25.5 percent) and lowest among people aged 65 and older (57.8 percent to 42.2 percent).
A Probolsky Research poll from February found 59.9 percent of Californians would vote yes on the ballot measure if the election were held at that time. In that poll, 36.7 percent were opposed.
Prop 64, if approved, would create a formal cannabis market, adding a 15 percent sales tax along with a cultivation tax of $9.25 per ounce of flower and $2.75 per ounce of leaves. The measure also includes language banning corporate or large-scale entities from entering California’s cannabis market for five years.