A majority of likely Massachusetts voters support legalizing marijuana, according to a Suffolk University/Boston Herald poll released today.
Fifty-three percent of respondents said that they “favor … the legalization of marijuana.” Thirty-seven percent of respondents opposed legalization. Ten percent were undecided.
In previous elections, Massachusetts voters have overwhelmingly approved statewide ballot measures decriminalizing marijuana possession offenses and legalizing the dispensing of the plant for therapeutic purposes.
Local activists have already begun plans for a possible 2016 ballot initiative drive on the question of full legalization.
The Suffolk poll possesses a margin or error of +/- 4 percent.
Over the past few months, separate statewide polls in Arizona, California, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Hampshire, Oregon, and Texas have all shown majority support for legalizing the adult consumption of cannabis.
Recent national polls by Gallup (58 percent), CNN (55 percent), CBS (51 percent), and NBC (55 percent) have also shown majority support for legalizing cannabis.
I predict most Blue States will follow suite by 2020, look for a severe backlash in the South.
To be honest, I am a little shocked at how LOW those numbers are in Massachusetts. I think I’ve seen other polls that show residents would very likely vote to pass legalized cannabis. Many towns have had the opportunity to already vote with nonbinding ballot questions and I don’t believe it has ever failed. In addition, decriminalization and medical marijuana both passed here with well over 60% of the vote! After Alaskan residents vote against prohibition this summer, Massachusetts will be a serious contender to be state #4.
[Paul Armentano responds: It is possible that this poll underestimates support because it is weighted specifically to reflect the views of likely 2014 (off-year) election voters, rather than either Massachusetts adults or likely 2016 (Presidential election year) voters, which tend to skew younger.]
David Paleologos, the pollster, on NECN last night explained that this poll of likely voters in the November 2014 election understates support of registered voters (not filtered to exclude those not likely to vote in 2014). If the broader class were polled likely would have come in at 58%. Check out conversation at about the 5:40 mark http://www.necn.com/02/04/14/Broadside-Checking-in-on-Mass-govs-race-/landing_broadside.html?blockID=862517&feedID=11122
Any state along the I95 corridor on the east coast has got to be cheaper and quicker to get to and buy legal cannabis. 2016. Any states smaller than Massachusetts, like Rhode Island or Delaware, that have a smaller bureaucracy and less political red tape that can legalize faster than that gets my vote. Vote with my feet and with my money. I’m thinking Joe Biden’s Delaware needs to go retail right away. It’s not as far for folks coming from the South. Once you got legal cannabis banking there is no need for states to hold back, and states without the ballot initiative need the ca$h too. Hey Jersey, maybe while the Governor is busy with other problems. Mayor DeBlasio, it’s your move. What are you going to do to separate the cannabis sales from hard drugs sales? Legalize cannabis so that people who are just out to buy some weed do not have to come in contact with street dealers who also just happen to be selling pot out of one pocket and heroin and shit out of the other. Really, the liquor store does not try to sell you heroin, and a cannabis store would not either. You need the money. FoxNews’ Gutfeld already mentioned NYC turning out like Detroit. Get that ca$h!
Massachusetts loves this plant; there are lots of people up in the hills in communities that are probably not represented in this poll. There is a very strong attitude of keep your head down and get your work done, but it is coupled with education and an emphasis on common sense. Residents tend to be more reserved in public voicing but on an individual basis there is a very dominant “live and let live” mentality here regarding behavior that doesn’t hurt anyone.
The majority of american adults used to be trusted when their personal rights were being scrutinized. Especially when those decisions affected you personally. Cannabis consumption should be a right, not a disrespected choice.
if you test positive on a drug test you don’t get the job, just like if you had possession on your record, so whats the point?