Survey: 65% of Americans Support Legalizing Cannabis

A majority of Americans, 65%, support adult-use cannabis legalization, according to a Data for Progress survey. The poll found 30% oppose the reforms. 

Data for Progress found 75% of Democrats either “strongly” or “somewhat” back legalization, along with 67% of third-party or independent voters, and 52% of Republicans. The organization found 20% of Democrats opposed the reforms, along with 27% of independents, and 45% of Republicans. 

Data for Progress also found majority support, 57%, for the enactment of social equity measures if cannabis were to be legalized federally. The organization used New York’s social equity model in explaining the policy to respondents: “One policy measure in the law mandates that the first 100-200 licenses given out to open recreational marijuana dispensaries in the state will be reserved for ‘individuals from communities that were disproportionately impacted by the enforcement of cannabis prohibition’ and other underrepresented groups.” 

The survey found 69% of Democrats backed the policy (22% opposed), along with 59% of independent and third-party voters (28% opposed). Republicans, however, did not back the policy, with 52% opposed and 43% in favor. 

A majority of respondents from each category, though, did express support for a policy that diverts cannabis-related revenues to a community grant fund. This policy was backed by 65% of respondents overall (with 28% opposed), along with 76% of Democrats (18% opposed), 70% of independents (22% opposed), and 51% of Republicans (41% opposed).