A new Emerson College-conducted poll commissioned by the Marijuana Policy Project of New York and the Drug Policy Alliance has found that 68 percent of New Yorkers support legalizing cannabis for recreational use, compared to just 28 percent opposed – a 2:1 ratio in support for an adult-use cannabis regime in the Empire State.
Support was highest among independents, 71 percent to 18 percent, followed by 63 percent of Democrats in favor, compared to 28 percent opposed. The majority of Republicans polled also favored legalization 53 percent to 37 percent. The GOP support falls in line with a national Gallup poll in October which found 51 percent of Republicans support adult-use access to cannabis. It was the first Gallup poll on legalization to find a majority of Republican support since the agency began asking the legalization question in 1969.
Respondents strongly supported legalization over other forms of revenue generation: 60 percent preferred taxing cannabis to raise tax revenues compared to increasing income taxes (19 percent), increasing sales taxes (15 percent), or cutting education or public service funds (16 percent).
“This should be a wake-up call to lawmakers: New Yorkers want their state to take a sensible, humane approach to marijuana policy. New York should stop wasting resources punishing otherwise law-abiding residents for using a substance that is safer than alcohol. It’s time to take marijuana off of the criminal market, so we can create good jobs, build the economy, and fund essential services.” – Landon Dais, political director, MPP of New York.
The poll, conducted Nov. 16-18, surveyed 600 registered voters.
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