American support for legalising marijuana reaches all-time high, according to poll
The largest increase in support is among Americans 55 and older
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Two-thirds of Americans are lit for legalising marijuana, according to a new survey.
For three consecutive years, pollsters Gallup recorded public support for legal pot. The most recent figure marks an all-time high in the last 50 years of polling American attitudes towards the drug.
The poll found that 66 per cent of Americans surveyed supported legalising marijuana. This is up two per cent from last year. In contrast, only 12 per cent of Americans supported legal pot in 1969.
Both Democrats and Republicans express similar opinions on pot legalisation with 75 per cent and 53 per cent favouring it, respectively. Seventy-one per cent of independents support legalising the drug.
The largest increase seen is among Americans 55 and older with 59 per cent supporting legal weed. In 2017, 50 per cent supported the legalisation.
The poll results are close to Quinnipiac University’s April 2018 poll that found 63 per cent of Americans support the legalisation of marijuana, The Hill reported.
The poll results come about one week after Canada became the second country to officially legalise the sale and use of recreational weed. In the United States, however, marijuana is still outlawed on the federal level.
Although Attorney General Jeff Sessions pledged to crack down on marijuana use, more and more states have legalised weed for both recreational and medicinal purposes. As of October 2018, only nine states and the District of Columbia have legalised recreational marijuana usage. These states are Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Alaska, Colorado, Vermont, Maine and Massachusetts. On Wednesday, Oklahoma became the 30th state to legalise medical marijuana use.
Earlier this year, Mr Sessions effectively rescinded a policy from the Obama administration that allowed flexibility for states to legalise recreational marijuana. The policy, known as the “Cole memo,” ordered US attorneys to “deprioritise” weed-related cases from prosecution.
The White House, however, holds a different stance from Mr Sessions and his Justice Department. President Donald Trump said that he would be in favour of congressional efforts to end the federal ban on marijuana.
“I really do. I support Senator [Cory] Gardner,” Mr Trump said in response to a question about whether he would support a bipartisan bill sponsored by the Republican senator that would leave marijuana legalisation up to the states.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments