“Reforming America’s failed marijuana prohibition laws enjoys bipartisan support among voters. Candidates and elected officials who ignore this reality do so at their own political peril.”
Tag: Democrats
At a time when voters and politicians are historically divided, there is one issue that Americans largely agree upon: It’s time to legalize marijuana.
“There’s no ‘buyer’s remorse’ among the public when it comes to legalizing cannabis.”
Overall, 83 percent of Democratic-leaning respondents endorsed legalization as compared to 55 percent of Republican-leaning respondents.
Voters’ support for legalization was strongest among African Americans (72 percent), Democrats (71 percent), those between the ages of 18 and 44 (70 percent), Hispanics (67 percent), and Independents (61 percent). Republicans (47 percent) and those over the age of 65 (45 percent) failed to express majority support legalization.
“Voters’ views on the subject of legalizing and regulating cannabis have evolved significantly over the past decades; however, the views of those seeking to represent them in Congress have not kept pace with this seismic shift in public opinion. Candidates’ failure to advocate for marijuana policy reform is a missed opportunity, as this is a unique issue that unites voters irrespective of party affiliation.”
An estimated two out of three Americans believe that cannabis should be legal for recreational purposes. Support for legalization was strongest among self-identified Democrats (79 percent) and Independents (71 percent). By contrast, fewer than one in two Republicans (46 percent) expressed support for legalizing cannabis.
NORML would like to wish you a Happy 4/20! In honor of the annual holiday we are pleased to release our 2016 Congressional Scorecard.