Practically seven in ten Individuals — together with majorities of Democrats, Republicans, and Independents — say that marijuana should be authorized for private use, and most understand it to be much less harmful than alcohol, based on nationwide polling supplied by Monmouth College.
In line with other surveys, 68 % of respondents assist “legalizing the possession of small quantities of marijuana for private use.” Assist for legalization was strongest amongst these below 35 years of age (87 %), Democrats (76 %), and Independents (73 %); nevertheless, a majority of Republicans (52 %) and older Individuals (53 %) additionally endorsed legalizing hashish.
Greater than half (54 %) of respondents reported ever having tried marijuana, together with majorities of Independents (56 %), Democrats (54 %), Republicans (51 %). Consistent with different surveys, individuals with private expertise utilizing marijuana are extra supportive of its legalization (86 %) than those that have by no means tried it (47 %).
“Private expertise with hashish is a comparatively surefire treatment for ‘reefer insanity,’” NORML’s Deputy Director Paul Armentano mentioned. “As larger percentages of adults proceed to turn out to be conversant in marijuana for both therapeutic functions or for their very own private use, count on to see most of the extra sensational but specious claims that after dominated the hashish narrative be relegated to the dustbin of historical past, and count on to see public assist in favor of its legalization rise even greater.”
When requested whether or not they perceived marijuana or alcohol to be “extra harmful for individuals on this nation to make use of,” most respondents mentioned that alcohol was the extra dangerous of the 2 — a discovering that can be consistent with prior polls. Seventy % of respondents mentioned that they believed that legalizing hashish would both result in a lower in crime or don’t have any affect on crime charges.
Extra particulars from the Monmouth College ballot are on-line here. For info on prior polls, please go to NORML’s Research Library.
