The issue is largely split along party lines. Poll: Most back legalizing marijuana

A majority of Americans support legalizing marijuana for the first time since 1969, according to a new poll released Tuesday.

The new Gallup survey shows that 58 percent of Americans support legalizing marijuana, a 10 point jump from last year when only 48 percent voiced their support.


The issue is largely split along party lines; 65 percent of Democrats voicing support for legalizing marijuana while only 35 percent of Republicans back such efforts. Last year, 61 percent of Democrats and 33 percent of Republicans supported legalization, showing increased support among both parties.

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Support for legalization increased most dramatically among independent voters, jumping 12 points since last year to 62 percent in 2013.

In a poll released in August, 38 percent of all Americans admitted to using the drug, with nearly 50 percent of Americans ages 30-49 year responding that they had used it.

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Adults 65 and older are the only age-group without a majority supporting marijuana legalization; 67 percent of 18 and 29 year olds and 62 percent of 30 to 49 year olds are in support of legalizing.

The survey of 1,028 adults was conducted Oct. 3-6 and has a margin of error of plus-or-minus 4 percentage points.

This article tagged under: Polls

Gallup Poll