A record number of Americans believe cannabis should be legalized in the United States, according to a recent poll by Washington, D.C.-based analytics company Gallup.
Per the poll, 70% of Americans think the Schedule I drug should be legalized, the highest level to date after holding steady at 68% for the last three years, while 29% disagree and 1% are unsure.
When Americans were first polled by Gallup about marijuana legalization in 1969, only 12% were in favor.
Gallup noted that in 2023 for the second year in a row, majority support for legalization was seen across all major subgroups, including age, political party and ideology.
Support is highest among self-identified Liberals and Democrats, at 91% and 87%, and inversely correlated with age, supported by 79% of survey respondents aged 18 to 34 years old.
There were no significant differences observed in support when considering gender, race, or education.
Record support for marijuana legalization comes in tandem with rising self-reported use of the drug.
Gallup’s July Consumption Habits survey showed that the percentage of Americans who self-report smoking marijuana has risen 10 points to 17% since 2013.
Contact the author at emily.jarvie@proactiveinvestors.com
Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @emilyjjarvie