New polls show that nearly 70% of Americans want legal cannabis – more than ever before

According to a recent poll, more Americans nationwide than ever want legal cannabis.

The national survey data was compiled by Quinnipiac University. This is the highest level of support ever reported in a nationwide survey and marks an even bigger shift in cannabis adoption. The survey was led by Doug Schwartz, Ph. D., and was based on random samples of adults choosing random digits with live interviewers. The study has been conducted in this way since 1994 and is considered independent and impartial.

According to the numbers, about seven in ten Americans believed cannabis should be legal in the US at the time of the survey. 69 percent of respondents shared their support, and if you just look at the registered voters, 70 percent are in favor. That number is up 19 percent from 2012 when the survey was first conducted.

“There is no repentance on the part of the American people on the part of the buyer. In the age of legalization at the state level, electoral support for this issue has grown rapidly – an indication that these policy changes have been successful and meet the wishes and expectations of voters, ”said Erik Altieri, Executive Director of NORML. “Today, voters of all ages and in virtually every region of the country agree that marijuana should be legal. We have a mandate from the American people and we want to make sure the elected officials adhere to it. “

Americans want legal cannabis across party lines

This poll is a big deal too, as support for legalization is becoming a bipartisan issue in the United States. 62 percent of Republicans, 67 percent of Independents, and 78 percent of Democrats support cannabis legalization. While the Democrats are still at the forefront in support of legalization, the other two groups are fast catching up.

This bipartisan split, however, is not reflected in the elected officials, as the Democrats, by and large, are still the only group supporting problems. Republicans still often vote against cannabis legislation. The recent legalization efforts in New Jersey, New York, Virginia, and New Mexico were all Democrat-driven and received almost no Republican support.

Despite this setback, the Quinnipiac data showed that cannabis is increasingly supported by Americans of all ages, not just young people. While the percentage of support is highest among young and middle-aged people, there is still support from older groups at 78 percent for people between the ages of 18 and 49. The 50- to 64-year-olds support cannabis at a rate of 72 percent, and even those 65 and over support legalization at 51 percent.

This is not the first time this data has been offered. Other polls have shown similar results, and the national drive for federal legalization, as well as the fact that more states are becoming legal, is also evidence of the growing acceptance of cannabis in America. However, this survey is significant because it offers more support than any previous data. As the numbers seem to suggest that Americans want legal cannabis, elected officials should take note and implement changes that reflect the will of the people.