Princeton, NJ: A record 58 percent of Americans nationwide now believe that marijuana ought to be "made legal" for adult consumption, according to survey data released this week by Gallup.
Americans’ support for legalizing marijuana rose ten percent since Gallup previously posed the question last year. Only 39 percent of Americans now say that they oppose legalizing pot.
Pollsters attributed the rapid rise in support for legalization to changing attitudes among self-identified Independent voters. In 2012, 50 percent of Independents endorsed legalization, compared to 62 percent in 2013. Support among Democratic (65 percent) and Republican (35 percent) voters was little changed from 2012 to 2013.
Respondents in every age category except for those age 65 and over expressed majority support for legalization.
"Americans’ support for legalization accelerated as the new millennium began," Gallup reported. "[I]t is likely that this momentum will spur further legalization efforts across the United States."
The Gallup poll randomly sampled 1,028 adults age 18 and older and possesses a margin of error of +/- 4 percent.
In recent months, polls in numerous states, including Louisiana, Maryland, and Texas, have shown majority support for regulating cannabis for adult consumers.
For more information, please contact Allen St. Pierre, NORML Executive Director or Erik Altieri, NORML Communications Director, at (202) 483-5500.