Table of Contents
- HIGHLIGHTS
- Many Key Demographic Groups Support Legalization
- Republicans, Conservatives, and Weekly Faithful Remain Resisters
- Conclusion
HIGHLIGHTS
- Record Percentage Wants Marijuana Legalized
- Majority of Many Key Demographic Groups Support Legalization
- Less Than Half of Republicans, Conservatives, and Weekly Faithful Support It
WASHINGTON, DC – Americans are more likely today than at any time in the past five decades to support the legalization of marijuana in the United States. The 68% of American adults who currently support the measure are not statistically different from last year’s 66%; However, this is nominally Gallup’s highest reading, exceeding the 64% to 66% range observed from 2017 to 2019.
Gallup first measured public opinion on marijuana legalization in 1969, when 12% of Americans supported it; by 1977, support had more than doubled to 28%. It did not rise above 30% until 2000 but increased sharply over the next two decades, and is now double what it was in 2001 and 2003.
The latest data is from September 30 to October 30. This 15-point poll, conducted before the election, saw proposals to legalize marijuana on the ballot in several states. Voters in all of these states—Arizona, Montana, New Jersey, and South Dakota—approved the legal use of marijuana for recreational purposes in the November 3 election. They joined 11 other states and the District of Columbia in legalizing recreational marijuana. Additionally, voters in Mississippi and South Dakota joined 33 states and the District of Columbia in passing laws legalizing or decriminalizing the use of marijuana for medical purposes.
Many key demographic groups support legalization.
Gallup data on the legal marijuana burden 2
Republicans, conservatives, and moderates remain holdouts
Most politically left-leaning and center-right Americans remain in favor of legalizing marijuana, while less than half of those leaning right support it. More than eight in ten Democrats and liberals, and more than seven in ten independents and moderates, support legalization, but slightly less than half of Republicans and conservatives do.
The 83% of Democrats and 72% of independents who prefer legalization are the highest values in the trend for both groups, but the current 48% of Republicans is slightly down from the slim majorities in 2017, 2018, and 2019.
GALLUP data on the legal marijuana burden 4
Conclusion
Since 2012, when Colorado and Washington became the first states to legalize marijuana for recreational use, there has been a slow trickle of states following suit. During this period, American support for marijuana legalization increased by 20 points to a record high of 68%. This measure has enjoyed majority public support since 2013. Furthermore, Gallup data from earlier this year shows that 70% of American adults now consider smoking marijuana morally acceptable, representing a five-percentage-point increase in one year.
The trajectory of public support for marijuana legalization has coincided with an increasing number of states approving it. It is not entirely clear whether the shift in public opinion has led to changes in numerous state laws or vice versa. Given recent trends, more states are likely to legalize recreational marijuana in the future. Considering the high level of public support for such a measure, a change in federal policy could even occur.
