According to a February 23 Quinnipiac poll, support for legalized cannabis is at an all-time high. An eye-popping 93 percent of respondents indicated support for medical cannabis programs, while 59 percent supported legalizing cannabis for adult use nationally, with another 71 percent opposed to the federal government enforcing federal law in states with either medicinal or recreational regimes.
In a blog post, NORML Deputy Director Paul Armentano pointed out that the 59 percent total is consistent with a 2016 Gallup poll that found 60 percent support for cannabis legalization.
Respondents aged 18 to 34-years-old supported national legalization overwhelmingly, 76 percent to 24 percent; and those aged 35 to 49-years-old followed suit, with 71 percent indicating support compared to 25 percent opposed. Fifty to 64 year olds surveyed also supported legalization but by a much narrower margin – 53 percent to 40 percent; while those 65 and older were opposed, 51 percent to 42 percent.
Support for medical cannabis was strong among all age groups and political affiliations, reaching more than 90 percent support among all respondents except for Republicans, who still indicated tremendous support with 85 percent in favor and just 12 percent opposed.
Not a single demographic supported federal government interference in states where legal cannabis measures have been approved; however, support was highest among Republicans – 36 percent to 55 percent.
Armentano suggested that the “rising support” could provide a boost for HR.975 – federal legislation that would prevent the federal government from prosecuting individuals operating in state-sanctioned cannabis activities.