An increasing number of states are allowing the use of cannabis, and the public appears to generally approve of this, as reflected in their support for both medicinal and recreational marijuana legalization.
A Pew Research Center survey conducted Oct. 10-16, 2022 found that a majority of U.S adults (59%) support the legalization of marijuana for medical and recreational use while 30% suggest only medical use should be allowed.
Just 10% of respondents believe that marijuana use should not be legalized at all.
As a result of President Joe Biden’s decision to grant pardons to those convicted of marijuana possession at the federal level, a new survey was conducted to analyze how marijuana is classified under federal law. The survey aims to review the implications of this policy change.
In the run-up to the November 8th midterms, two states legalized recreational marijuana use – adding to the 19 states and D.C. who’d done so previously.
Republicans are more hesitant than Democrats when it comes to legalizing marijuana for recreational purposes. 45% of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents support the idea of legalizing it for medical as well as recreational use, while another 39% believe that it should only be used medically.
A majority of Democrats and those who lean Democratic (73%) have expressed that marijuana should be legal for both medical and recreational purposes. Only 21% of the same demographic believe it should be for medical use only.
A significant majority of Republicans aged 18 to 29 (62%) support the legalization of marijuana for both medical and recreational use, whereas the same support is seen in only 52% of those aged 30 to 49.
A considerable number of Republicans in the age bracket of 50 to 64 (41%) and 65 to 74 (38%) think marijuana legalization is suitable for both medical and recreational use. This percentage dwindles drastically when it comes to those 75 and over, with only 18% supporting this view.
About 51% of Democrats ages 75 and older say marijuana should be legal for medical or recreational purposes; Larger shares of younger Democrats say the same. Surprisingly, only 8% of Democrats over the age of 75 disagree with marijuana legalization for medical use.
Racial/ethnic disparities also emerge when it comes to legalizing marijuana, with 68% of Black adults and 60% of White adults in favor of both medical and recreational usage. Meanwhile, the approval rate for Hispanics (49%) and Asians (48%) is significantly lower.
