While Biden intensifies his efforts to reschedule cannabis—a yet-to-be-fulfilled promise from his 2020 campaign—he continues to avoid advocating for full legalization. Meanwhile, Trump has largely remained silent on the issue.
Marijuana Legalization Gains Strong Bipartisan Support Among American Voters
A recent Fox News poll delved into several hot-button issues, including abortion, border security, the economy, and notably, cannabis legalization. The findings revealed that nearly seven in ten American voters, including a majority of Republicans, support ending marijuana prohibition altogether.
Broad Support Across Political Spectrum and Demographics
The poll, conducted several days before President Joe Biden’s announcement on May 16 regarding the official rescheduling of marijuana, indicated that 69% of registered voters favor legalization. Among them, 45% strongly support the reform. Interestingly, support for legalization transcends political affiliations, with 81% of Democrats, 55% of Republicans, and 65% of independents in favor. Furthermore, the survey revealed widespread backing across all demographic groups, except for those identifying as “very conservative.” Even demographics such as individuals over 65 and white evangelicals showed majority support for legalization.
Solid Views on Legalization Reflecting Policy Success
Paul Armentano, deputy director of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), emphasized the absence of “buyer’s remorse” among the public regarding cannabis legalization. He attributed the growing support for legalization to the success of policies implemented in various states. Armentano highlighted that as more states adopt legalization, public support for the policy has risen significantly. This is because such policies are functioning as intended and voters prefer legalization and regulation over the failed policy of marijuana prohibition.
Presidential Candidates’ Positions on Cannabis
While President Biden has made strides in rescheduling cannabis, an unfulfilled promise from his 2020 campaign, he remains hesitant about full legalization. Advocates argue that he could have pursued full legalization by ordering the DEA to remove cannabis from any schedule and treat it like alcohol.
On the other hand, Donald Trump, who faces a marijuana legalization ballot initiative in Florida this November, has not explicitly stated his stance on the issue. In a speech to the National Rifle Association in April, Trump attributed an uptick in mass shootings to “genetically engineered” cannabis.
Poll Methodology
The Fox News poll, conducted from May 10-13, surveyed 1,126 registered voters with a margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points.
Conclusion: Strong Public Support for Marijuana Legalization
The findings of the Fox News poll underscore a clear trend: strong bipartisan support among American voters for cannabis legalization. Despite differences in political affiliations and demographics, the majority of voters favor ending marijuana prohibition. As policymakers navigate this issue, they must consider the evolving attitudes of the electorate and the success of cannabis policies implemented in various states.
