A new poll by the Pew Research Center shows a majority of Americans now support the legalization of marijuana. This is the first time in 40 years of polling that more than half of American have been in favor of legalization.
The survey of more than 1,500 people shows 52 percent of respondents say marijuana should be legal to grow, possess and smoke in the United States. Only 45 percent of respondents said marijuana should remain illegal, an 11-point shift in favor of legalization over the last three years.
As with most social issues, support was highest among younger respondents and dropped progressively as the age of the respondent increased.
Support for legalization is 65 percent among people born after 1980. A majority of members of Generation X, born between 1965 and 1980, also support legalization -- 54 percent.
Fully half of Baby Boomers support legalization, and 32 percent of people born before 1945 support legalization, nearly double the percentage in 2002.
In every age cohort, support for the legalization of marijuana is at its highest point, so while many Americans oppose legalization, support is growing among all demographics; it is not being balanced out by a growth in opposition among more conservative members of society.
In addition, the survey found that nearly half of all Americans - 48 percent - have used marijuana at least once in their lives, though only 12 percent have used it in the past year.
Support for legalization doesn't necessarily mean respondents support actually using the drug, however. But the percentage of Americans who view marijuana usage as immoral is dropping steadily, down 18 points since 2006, to 32 percent.
Men are more supportive of legalization, with 57 percent of male respondents saying marijuana should be legal, compared to 48 percent of women. The partisan divide still exists as well. A full 60 percent of self-identified independents support legalization, followed closely by 59 percent of Democrats. Only 37 percent of Republicans support legalization.
The tide may have shifted, and attitudes have changed rapidly over the last three years. In 2012, Colorado and Washington voters both approved referenda to legalize marijuana, joining other states that have decriminalized marijuana through the courts or legislation.
It seems it is only a matter of time before proponents of legalization succeed.
- Contribute to this Story:
- Send us a tip
- Send us a photo or video
- Suggest a correction
