(Week of 6/22/2013) Colorado’s law legalizing the possession of small amounts of marijuana and having the state manage its sale goes into effect next Monday. Americans support Colorado’s change in policy. In the latest Economist/YouGov Poll, a majority support legalizing marijuana use.
And the movement of regulation of marijuana from the federal government to individual states is also favored: by 56% to 30%, the public thinks states should be permitted to set their own rules for marijuana possession and use.
Although Republicans and Democrats disagree on whether marijuana use should be legalized, majorities in both parties believe the laws should be made by the states, not the federal government. Support for legalized marijuana is high for Democrats (64% are in favor), and crosses educational and regional lines. All age groups (except those 65 and older) are in favor (senior citizens narrowly oppose legalization). Republicans oppose legalization 49% to 35%.
There is a gender gap on this question: men favor legalization 60% to 29%; women are more closely divided. 48% of women support legalizing the use of marijuana; 37% do not.
Economist/YouGov poll archives can be found here
Photo source: Press Association
