Gallup Poll: Support for U.S. Cannabis Legalization Remains at Record High Levels

Support for cannabis legalization in the U.S. has maintained the record high — 68% — reached last year in the latest Gallup poll released on Thursday. The pollsters found the majority of both Democrats and independents supported the reforms, 83%, and 71%, respectively, with Republicans split 50% to 49%.

Gallup also found the majority of individuals (52%) who attend church weekly support cannabis legalization, along with 52% of those who attend church “nearly weekly” or monthly. Among those who attend church less often, 78% approve broad cannabis legalization.

In a poll last year, Gallup found the same level of support for legalization, marking the highest level of support since the organization first started asking about the issue in 1969. That poll found lower support for the reforms among weekly church-goers at 48% but found high levels for support (59%) among those who attend church services nearly weekly or monthly.

Gallup found majority support for cannabis legalization for the first time in 2013 when support reached 58%. In 1969, the level of support was just 12% with 84% opposed. Americans polled by Gallup were first split on the issue in 2011 with 50% in support of legalization and 46% opposed.

The poll was conducted from October 1-19 and included 823 adults living in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.

A Gallup poll in August found nearly half of U.S. adults — 49% — had tried cannabis, the highest level the polling company had ever reported, with 12% identifying as regular consumers.