Loading

Majority of Americans Oppose US Marijuana Policies

Click Here to view NORML's press release on this poll.

Methodology
The survey of 1,024 likely voters nationwide was conducted November 27-29, 2001. All calls were made from Zogby International headquarters in Utica, New York. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.2%. Margins of error are higher for sub-groups. Slight weights were applied to region, party, age, race, religion, and gender to more accurately reflect the voting population nationwide.

Narrative Summary

1.
In light of the tragic events of Sept. 11th and the increased attention to the threat of terrorism, do you strongly support, somewhat support, somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose arresting and jailing nonviolent marijuana smokers?

Strongly support 18%
Somewhat support 15%Support 33%
Somewhat oppose 22%
Strongly oppose 39%Oppose 61%
Not sure 6%

Considering the current attention to the threat of terrorism in America, three-fifths (61%) of likely voters oppose the arresting and jailing of nonviolent marijuana smokers. One-third (33%) is in support of arresting and jailing nonviolent marijuana smokers, and 6% are not sure.

Among the respondents in opposition are an average 68% of Democrats, Independents, residents of the East, 18-49 year-olds, African Americans, and people with household incomes of $50,000 or more. Most Jewish Americans (86%) also oppose this, as do slightly more men (64%) than women (58%).

Those who support arresting and jailing nonviolent marijuana smokers include Republicans (42%), Hispanics (45%), born-again Christians (48%), and respondents living in the South (37%). Support increases as age increases - from 29% of adults 18-29, to 38% of seniors 65 and older. Support, though, decreases slightly as household income increases - from 37% of people with household income less than $15,000, to 26% of people with household income of $75,000 or more.

2. In California and eight other states, the medical use of marijuana is legal under state law for seriously ill patients, although it remains illegal under federal law. The federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) recently sent 30 law enforcement agents to close a patient support group in Los Angeles that provided a safe environment where patients could obtain their medical marijuana. Do you strongly support, somewhat support, somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose the use of federal law enforcement agencies to close patient cooperatives in California and other states where medical marijuana is legal under state law?

Strongly support 15%
Somewhat support 12%Support 27%
Somewhat oppose 17%
Strongly oppose 50%Oppose 67%
Not sure 6%

Two-thirds (67%) of likely voters nationwide oppose the use of federal law enforcement agencies to close patient cooperatives in California and other states where medical marijuana is legal under state law. A full one-half (50%) of respondents "strongly oppose." Slightly more than one in four (27%) supports this use of federal law enforcement agencies, while 6% are not sure.

Nearly three-quarters (an average 73%) of Democrats, Independents, residents of the East, 30-64 year-olds, African Americans, and people with household incomes of $35,000 or more - as well as 85% of Jewish Americans - oppose the use of federal law enforcement agencies to close patient cooperatives where medical marijuana is legal under state law. Those who "strongly oppose" include majorities of Independents (58%), 50-64 year-olds (58%), residents of the East (58%) and West (54%), people with household income of $75,000 or more (59%), and Jews (72%).

Among likely voters who support this use of federal law enforcement agencies are 41% of Hispanics, and an average 33% of Republicans, 18-29 year-olds, seniors 65 and older, Southerners, born-again Christians, and people with household incomes of $15,000-$34,999.






Mobile Applications

NORML iPhone App

Find all your weed needs on the go with the NORML iPhone and Android Applications!

NORML iPhone AppNORML Droid App