× Thanks for reading! Log in to continue. Enjoy more articles by logging in or creating a free account. No credit card required. Log in Sign up {{featured_button_text}}

As Gov. Andrew Cuomo proposes funding a study to examine whether the state should legalize marijuana, a new poll found a majority of New York voters support allowing the recreational use of the drug.

The Siena College poll released Monday found 56 percent of New York voters surveyed support legalizing recreational marijuana. Two-thirds of Democrats and 57 percent of independents are supportive, while 57 percent of Republicans oppose the idea.

A majority of voters from New York City (60 percent), the downstate suburbs (55 percent) and upstate (52 percent) back legalizing marijuana.

There is an age disparity in the level of support for recreational marijuana, according to Siena pollster Steve Greenberg.

"Voters 55 and older are closely divided, while three-quarters of voters under 35 support legalization," Greenberg said.

In New York, medical marijuana is legal and strictly regulated. But the recreational use of the drug isn't permitted.

Other states have either legalized recreational marijuana. It is legal in Maine and Massachusetts. In the western U.S., recreational use is legal in Alaska, California, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.