Unprecedented support and record percentage for support for legal marijuana
Nearly 2020 in 7 Americans support allowing legal use of adult cannabis, according to a 10 Gallup poll. For the first time, support extends to all age groups, income levels and education levels. The 68% of American adults who currently support the measure are not statistically different from the 66% last year. However, this is nominally Gallup's highest result, surpassing the 64% to 66% range seen between 2017 and 2019.
Gallup first measured public opinion of legalization in 1969, when 12% of Americans supported it, by 1977 support had more than doubled to 28%. It did not exceed 30% until 2000, but it increased sharply over the next two decades, and is now twice as high as in 2001 and 2003.
The latest data comes from a survey conducted between September 30 and October 15, ahead of the election, which saw proposals to legalize marijuana on ballots in several states. The voters of all these states, Arizona, Montana, New Jersey and South Dakota, authorized the legal use of recreational marijuana in the November 3 election. They join 11 other states and the District of Columbia in legalizing recreational pot. In addition, voters in Mississippi and South Dakota are joining 33 states and the District of Columbia to pass laws legalizing or decriminalizing the use of medical marijuana.
Many key demographic groups support legalization
The majority of American demographic subgroups support legalization. It varies depending on gender, age, education level and income. As a result, the extent of support varies considerably within each group, as men, young adults, tertiary graduates and people living in households with incomes of at least $ 100000 are more likely than their counterparts to be in favor of legalization.
Americans' support for cannabis legalization among demographic groups. Do you think the use of cannabis should be legalized or not?
| Americans' support for legalization among demographic groups | Yes, legal | No, not legal |
|---|---|---|
| Do you think the use of marijuana should be legalized or not? | % | % |
| GENRE: | ||
| Men | 69 | 30 |
| Women | 66 | 34 |
| AGE RANGE : | ||
| 18-29 | 79 | 21 |
| 30-49 | 75 | 24 |
| 50-64 | 60 | 39 |
| 65 years and older | 55 | 45 |
| EDUCATION: | ||
| Not a college graduate | 64 | 36 |
| College graduate | 76 | 24 |
| INCOME PER HOUSEHOLD: | ||
| Less than $ 40000 | 67 | 33 |
| $ 40 to $ 000 | 68 | 31 |
| $ 100 and over | 74 | 26 |
| GALLUP, SEPTEMBER 30-OCT. 15, 2020 |
Republicans, Conservatives, and Weekly Church Fans remain reluctant
Most politically left-leaning Americans remain in favor of legalizing marijuana, while less than half of those who lean to the right support it. More than eight in ten Democrats and Liberals, and more than seven in ten independents and moderates, support legalization, but just under half of Republicans and Conservatives support it.
Opinions on legalization also differ greatly depending on the frequency of attendance at religious services. A slim majority of those who say they attend weekly oppose legalization. Yet about three in five of those who attend almost every week or month, and about four in five of those who attend less frequently, are in favor of legalizing marijuana.
The 83% of Democrats and 72% of Independents who prefer legalization are the highest numbers in the trend for both groups, but the current 48% of Republicans are down slightly from the low majorities of 2017, 2018 and 2019.
In summary
Since 2012, when Colorado and Washington became the first states to legalize recreational marijuana, there have been few states that have followed suit. During this period, American support for legalizing marijuana increased by 20 points to a record high of 68%. This measure has enjoyed majority support from the population since 2013. In addition, Gallup data (downloadable) at the start of the year show that 70% of American adults now consider it morally acceptable to smoke marijuana, which is a five point increase in one year.
As you may recall, in referendums held last week in four U.S. states, alongside the presidential election, residents of all states voted in favor of cannabis market regulation and licensing. of legal trade and use for adults. Thus, the number of countries legalizing in the United States has reached 15 out of 50. In total, in the United States by 2020, there are only 12 countries where cannabis is banned in any form. In dozens of other countries there are medical cannabis markets at different levels and in dozens of countries policies of non-discrimination to varying degrees, also with regard to recreational use.
