While Californians have never voted to support it, they continue to back legalization of marijuana, according to a Field Poll released Feb. 27.
Legalizing marijuana for medicinal purposes is as far as California voters have been willing to go, so far, but 54 percent say they now support full legalization, with 43 percent opposed, according to Field.
People responding to the poll indicated they want marijuana legal, but controlled in a similar way alcohol is regulated.
Support is stronger for legalization is stronger than it has ever been, Field reported. When Field began popping the question in 1969, only 13 percent of Californians favored its legalization.
Democrats favor marijuana legalization, 58-37 percent, according to the poll, while Republicans oppose it, 55-42 percent.
Women oppose legalization, 49-46, while men favor it, 62-36.
Legalization is supported by most whites and blacks, but opposed by most Hispanics.
On the medical marijuana front, 67 percent of Californians polled said they oppose federal efforts to interfere with state law.
Many city and county governments have been part of the fray, frequently banning or closing medical marijuana dispensaries.
Fifty-eight percent of Californians, however, said that locating dispensaries in their towns is fine with them.
Comments