A new Quinnipiac poll released today shows that a majority of Americans support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
The Quinnipiac poll questioned 1561 registered voters across the United States during the week of May 24-31st. Overall, 54% of respondents would back efforts to legalize recreational marijuana. Men were more likely to back the idea (60-37%) than women (48%-46%). Approval broke along party lines with more Democrats in favor of recreational legalization than Republicans.
The poll also showed that support of medical marijuana is becoming one of the consensus issues in America. A vast majority (89%) of those surveyed agreed with allowing adults to use medical marijuana if they have a valid prescription from a physician. Only 9% outright stated their opposition for medical marijuana.
The numbers were almost identical when respondents were asked about medical marijuana for soldiers suffering from PTSD. Quinnipiac showed that American voters support allowing U.S. Veterans Administration doctors to prescribe marijuana in pill form to soldiers by a margin of 87-9%. Voters from military households were in favor by a margin of 82-12%.
“If you serve your country and suffer for it, you deserve every health remedy available, including medical marijuana in pill form. That is the full-throated recommendation of Americans across the demographic spectrum, including voters in military households.” Tim Malloy, Assistant Director of the Quinnipiac Poll said. “Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is debilitating and life-threatening. The response from voters should take political considerations out of the debate and allow doctors to do what’s best for veterans. The fact that a majority of American voters favors legalizing marijuana in general shows how attitudes about the drug have changed.” He added.
The new poll confirms the findings of previous surveys highlighting a support for legal marijuana. The news may provide a boost to marijuana advocates as up to 12 states could be voting on marijuana reform laws this November.
