Leah Welborn
A new Quinnipiac poll released earlier this month demonstrated that Americans – to an unprecedented degree – support an end to cannabis prohibition. Particularly on the question of medical cannabis, an overwhelming majority are in favor of legalization.
The poll surveyed 1,125 Americans as to their views on cannabis. When asked if they support “allowing adults to legally use marijuana for medical purposes if their doctor prescribes it,” 94 percent of those surveyed said yes. That number is up from 89 percent last year.
When it comes to the question of recreational cannabis, the numbers are up as well. 61 percent of Americans surveyed agree that “the use of marijuana should be made legal in the United States.” In December of 2012, only 51 percent of Americans agreed that cannabis should be made legal.
Only 20 percent of those surveyed support “government enforcing federal laws against marijuana in states that have already legalized medical or recreational marijuana.” That means 80 percent oppose the federal government cracking down on the rights of states whose citizens have voted for legalization.
Among those surveyed, 35 – 49-year-olds were the most supportive of full legalization (77 percent), followed by 71 percent of 18 – 34-year-olds. Only 42 percent of those over the age of 65 support legalization.
At this point, it seems highly unlikely that the trend of legalization will reverse any time soon. There’s no putting this giant green genie back in the bottle, and we think that’s just the way it should be.